Sport: Setting the Record Straight

Washington's old-style kicker, Mark Moseley, lifts the uprights

In Washington, D.C., where many men are famous for putting their foot in it, no one is more renowned at the moment than Washington Redskins Place Kicker Mark Moseley. He has kicked more consecutive field goals than any National Football League kicker before him, and almost all of Moseley's kicks are in the national interest.

Because so much grim business is conducted in this city during the week, Redskin losses on Sunday are ominous events. On Moseley's right leg sways the mood of the Government. Last week, when Moseley broke Garo Yepremian's record of 20 straight field goals, Senators Paul Laxalt and John Warner hurried from the game after the first quarter to vote to keep the Republic going, but were back for the finish. Moseley's third field goal of the day with four seconds left beat the New York Giants, 15-14, and made the record 21. "I had no idea what yard line it was on," said Moseley, an uncomplicated man who leaves mental check lists to golfers. "All I do is swing my leg straight." Even though it was tipped by a Giant, the ball twirled the needed 42 yds.

In the N.F.L. today, soccer-style place kicking is more than the vogue. According to 26 of the 28 teams, it is the superior method. The only two field-goal kickers still swinging their legs straight are Rick Danmeier of the Minnesota Vikings and Moseley. "That's why I was glad to see Moseley get the record," said Lou ("the Toe") Groza, the Cleveland Browns' famed footman, who also played tackle in the '50s. "At least Moseley looks like a football player. I was talking to George Blanda a while back, and he said, 'You know, if they would just tighten the immigration laws, we could still be kicking.' "

German, Mexican, Polish and Norwegian sidewinders proliferated in the pros in the 1960s and '70s until Americans got the knack. In 1966 Cypriot Garo Yepremian's brother wrote to tell him about the land of milk and honey, and the soccer-style pioneer, Hungarian Pete Gogolak. Garo, a humble tiemaker, left home immediately to be a famous tie breaker. "The next thing I knew, I was a Detroit Lion," recalls Yepremian, who would serve four N.F.L. teams. "The first game I ever saw was in Baltimore against the Colts. I kicked off." Before the game, Yepremian's teammates dressed him in his pads. He stands 5 ft. 7 in. "After I kicked the ball, I stood for a moment admiring it. Since I was getting a lot of money, I figured it was part of my job to pick up the tee." He heard the thunder of hoofs. "I ran for my life to the sidelines." Laughter greeted him there. "I couldn't understand it. Then I realized I had run to the wrong sideline. I was sitting with the Baltimore Colts."