San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers celebrates after kicking a 63-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

NFL: Akers surprised self with 63-yard field goal for 49ers

By JANIE McCAULEY

| The Associated Press

First Published Sep 12 2012 01:52 pm • Last Updated Sep 12 2012 01:52 pm

Santa Clara, Calif. • David Akers’ mouth fell open and his eyes popped as he threw his arms into the air in both celebration and disbelief. Somehow, a field goal from 63 yards out had gone in — after bouncing off the crossbar and through the uprights.

Moments later, San Francisco’s spot-on kicker was mobbed by teammates as the 49ers headed into halftime of last week’s season-opening victory at Green Bay with a 16-7 lead.

Akers’ facial expressions became nearly as big a deal in the highlight reels as the kick itself, which just so happened to tie an NFL record for longest ever.

Even the All-Pro Akers didn’t think he had struck it just right this time. And that’s saying something coming from the guy who set a single-season record with 44 field goals last year.

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