The record for the longest field goal in NFL history is 63 yards, held by both Tom Dempsey and Jason Elam.

On Nov. 14, former Pflugerville High kicker Garrett Lindholm booted a 64-yarder playing for Tarleton State, a Division II university.

Yes, that’s a long way.

“You kick it as far as you can, like a kick off,” said Lindholm, a 21-year-old senior. “I didn’t connect well on it either.”

According to the NCAA record books, the longest field goal kicked was 67 yards, done by five players, all using a tee. The longest field goal kicked without a tee was a 65 yarder by Martin Gramatica for Kansas State in 1998. In 1976, Ove Johansson of Abilene Christian kicked a 69-yarder, but the school was not a member of the NCAA at that time.

“Probably 70 percent of it is mental,” said the 5-10, 190-pound Lindholm of what it takes to be a successful kicker. “You can’t focus on missing. Don’t mention it.

“I really don’t pay any attention to them,” he added, talking about the opposing team. “It’s just me, the ball, the holder and the snapper. Like practice.”

The special kick could not have come at a better time. Lindholm connected from 64 yards out at the end of regulation to force overtime against Central Washington during the first round of the Division II playoffs. Tarleton State went on to win 57-56 in double overtime.

“Overall, we did well,” said Lindholm of his senior year. “We won some games we shouldn’t have won, and lost some games we shouldn’t have lost.”

Lindholm is a 2006 graduate of Pflugerville High, where he was named first team all-district kicker his junior and senior year. He played soccer in high school, and it wasn’t until some coaches noticed him booting the ball that he was encouraged to try out for the football team as a freshman.

“Football is a more glamorous sport,” Lindholm said. “It’s more exciting. There’s more backing.”

Also, the impact of watching football regularly on TV and the fact his father played in high school played a role.

“Just growing up watching football with him,” Lindholm said. “It influenced me. I wanted to be like one of the guys on TV.”

Lindholm selected Tarleton State, located in Stephenville southwest of Fort Worth, for the opportunity to play regularly.

“They told me I would have the chance to start my freshman year,” said Lindholm, who is majoring in business administration.

With this his senior year and the season over, Lindholm was able to reflect on his collegiate career.

“It goes fast,” he said. “It’s your senior year. You were moving into the dorms just a couple of years ago.”

One thing that changed in the last few weeks were more unfamiliar faces at his team’s practices, trying to get a look at the man who kicked a football 64 yards.

“Yeah, more scouts were at our practice watching me kick,” he said. “I guess they have to check that out.”

Now, Lindholm will focus on trying to make the NFL. Though he’s from a small school, a 64-yarder gives him a leg up on the competition. If professional football doesn’t work out, he’ll continue his studies in business, but he’s keeping the dream alive.

“Hopefully, my business will be kicking in the NFL,” Lindholm said.