Hall Of Fame To Get Prater's Coveted Cleats

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Pro Football Hall of Fame will get the right cleat that Matt Prater wore when he kicked the longest field goal in history.

Just not for a while.

"Yeah, they asked for the cleats. I said I'd give them to them after the season," Prater told The Associated Press.

If the Denver Broncos (11-3) and their strong-legged kicker can help it, that package won't be arriving in Canton, Ohio, until after the Super Bowl in February.

Jason Aikens, collections curator for the Hall of Fame, said it's not unusual for kickers who set records to wait until after the season to give up their cleats because there's a lot involved in breaking in a new kicking shoe and kickers aren't fond of changing shoes during a hot streak or following a record-breaking kick.

"I use the same ones for the whole season," Prater said. "I have some I practice with and some I wear in games."

Prater kicked a 64-yard field goal on the last play of the first half against Tennessee in 14-degree weather on Dec. 8 in Denver, sparking the Broncos' 51-28 comeback win over the Titans.

That broke the record of 63 yards set by Tom Dempsey in 1970 and tied by Jason Elam, Sebastian Janikowski and David Akers.
Aikens said he hopes to receive Prater's No. 5 jersey from that game soon.
"They wanted the ball, too," Prater said. "I kept the ball. I'll give them my cleats if they really want them. I change those about every year or so."

- By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer

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