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NFL
Record-long touchdown highlight of Bears' windy victory
Associated Press
Published November 14, 2005
CHICAGO - What the heck? Nathan Vasher caught the missed field goal deep in the end zone on the final play of the first half and decided to bring it out.
Seconds later, he was in the record book with the longest play in league history - an almost unimaginable rambling 108-yard return that stunned the 49ers and propelled the Bears to a blustery win.
When Joe Nedney's 52-yard attempt was short and wide, Vasher caught the ball over his shoulder, hesitated, sprinted to the 15, reversed field with a spin and picked up a convoy of blockers. Getting blocks down the sideline from Lance Briggs, Chris Harris and Brian Urlacher, Vasher weaved past and through the 49ers for a 7-3 halftime lead.
"With the field-goal team out there, there were no defensive backs or wide receivers," said Vasher, a second-year cornerback out of Texas. "You're out there with the big boys. I picked up some great blocks from everybody out there."
The longest play was Baltimore's Chris McAlister's 107-yarder - also on a missed field goal - in 2002.
NOTABLE: Bears rookie running back Cedric Benson sprained his right knee. He is scheduled to have an MRI exam today. ... San Francisco safety Tony Parrish broke his left fibula and ankle early in the first quarter.
[Last modified November 14, 2005, 01:04:15]
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