Craig Waibel said he had not kicked a football in 13 years, since he was a college sophomore at the University of Washington in 1995.
It did not show on Sunday.
Waibel joined Houston Texans kicker Kris Brown after the Texans' pre-season workout and kicked a series of field goals that will send 30 in-need children from local hospitals, including The Methodist Hospital System, to Tuesday's SuperLiga semifinal match between the Dynamo and Mexican club Pachuca at Robertson Stadium. Most impressively, Waibel brought the house down by connecting with a field goal from the NFL record distance of 63 yards.
Brown and Waibel met after the Texans concluded indoor workouts at their practice bubble adjacent to Reliant Stadium Sunday afternoon. The two proceeded to an outdoor practice field, where Waibel stretched and got tips from Brown before trying his hand - or foot, actually - at several extra points.
Then Waibel heated up the already steaming afternoon with the "real" kicks, where each successful field goal would send three children to Tuesday night's showdown. His opening kick, from 20 yards, sneaked inside the left upright, but he found his groove while backing up five yards with each kick. From Brown's hold, Waibel nailed field goals of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 yards for the first half of his intended 10 kicks.
"You have the best job in the world!" Waibel told Brown, before admitting that on-rushing NFL defenders might make a slight difference.
Moving back to 45 yards, Waibel had plenty of distance but hooked two attempts wide left before hitting successfully. He then hit a 50-yarder, setting up a 55-yarder for his 10th kick. On what was described as "the money ball," Waibel pulled his first 55-yarder just wide, but all present granted a re-kick, and he connected on his second attempt from 55 yards.
With the kicks for tickets completed, Brown told Waibel he had to try to match Brown's career best - a 57-yard kick from the right hashmark. Waibel dutifully obliged by making the kick on his first try.
The duo then moved back to the NFL record of 63 yards, held by Jason Elam and Tom Dempsey. Waibel's first attempt fell slightly short and to the left of the goalposts, but he sent his second attempt just over the crossbar, prompting Texans employees and media members alike to hold their arms aloft and signal the kick "good."
Waibel finished with a 10-of-14 rate on the day, including four of six kicks made from 50 yards or longer.
While 30 children will have the opportunity to see Tuesday's Dynamo game thanks to Waibel and Brown, the tandem is not done yet. Brown said he intends to visit a Dynamo practice when his schedule allows and take penalty kicks against goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
For video coverage of the event, check back Monday afternoon at HoustonDynamo.com.
Jonathan Yardley is a contributor to HoustonDynamo.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
