In reality, Bates’ only kicks that were good at Tomball High School near Houston came on the soccer pitch. He didn’t join the Tomball football team until his senior season and was the backup.
In college, he never made a field goal in the two years he spent at Texas State or his lone season at Arkansas.
It was funny because at first it was, ‘First made field goal since high school,’ and that’s not necessarily true,” Bates said. “I didn’t make one in high school, either. That was my first made field goal.”
Several makes have followed — 12 in 14 attempts, to be exact. With three made field goals from 60-plus yards, Bates has become one of the UFL’s biggest stories this year.
A recent FOX Sports article suggested Bates was third in line to be league MVP behind a pair of quarterbacks, Adrian Martinez of Birmingham and AJ McCarron of St. Louis.
In his most recent game last Sunday against Arlington, Bates made 5 of 5 field goals, including a 60-yard attempt and a 42-yard game winner as time expired.
When the game ended, Arlington coach Bob Stoops could be heard on the FOX broadcast exclaiming to Michigan coach Mike Nolan, “That’s one heck of a kicker you’ve got. Oh my gosh.”
