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The Legendary Tom Dempsey: Football's Longest Field Goal Kicker

williamfaulkner December 04, 2024

The Legendary Tom Dempsey: Football's Longest Field Goal Kicker

Who was the NFL player known for his powerful kicking leg? Tom Dempsey!

Tom Dempsey was an American professional football player who played as a placekicker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, and Buffalo Bills. He is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal for the Saints on November 8, 1970, which stood as the longest field goal in NFL history for 43 years until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013.

Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot and wore a specially designed kicking shoe. He was undrafted out of Palomar College, but he went on to have a successful NFL career. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named All-Pro once. He also led the NFL in scoring in 1971.

Name	Born	Died	Position	Teams
Tom Dempsey	January 13, 1947	April 4, 2020	Placekicker	New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills

Dempsey's 63-yard field goal remains one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. It was a remarkable achievement, considering that he was kicking with a deformed foot. Dempsey's story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. It shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey was an American football player who played as a placekicker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal for the New Orleans Saints on November 8, 1970, which stood as the longest field goal in NFL history for 43 years until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013.

Kicking: Dempsey was one of the most powerful kickers in NFL history. He was known for his booming kickoffs and field goals.
Accuracy: Dempsey was also a very accurate kicker. He made 80.3% of his field goal attempts during his career.
Determination: Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot, but he never let that stop him from pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL.
Inspiration: Dempsey's story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. It shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
Record: Dempsey's 63-yard field goal remains the longest field goal in NFL history.
Legacy: Dempsey is considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1989.

Dempsey's story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. He faced adversity throughout his life, but he never gave up on his dream. He is an inspiration to us all.

1. Kicking

Tom Dempsey was one of the most powerful kickers in NFL history. He was known for his booming kickoffs and field goals. His powerful leg was a major asset to his teams, and he helped them win many games. Dempsey's kicking ability was a major reason why he was able to play in the NFL for 11 seasons.

Dempsey's kicking power was evident from a young age. He was able to kick a football over 50 yards when he was just 12 years old. He continued to develop his kicking skills in high school and college, and he was eventually drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 1969 NFL Draft.

Dempsey quickly became one of the most feared kickers in the NFL. He led the league in scoring in 1971, and he was named to the Pro Bowl twice. Dempsey's most famous kick came in 1970, when he kicked a record-setting 63-yard field goal. This kick stood as the longest field goal in NFL history for 43 years, until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013.

Dempsey's kicking ability was a major asset to his teams. He helped the Saints win their first playoff game in 1971, and he helped the Eagles win the NFC Championship in 1980. Dempsey was a valuable member of every team he played for, and he is considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history.

2. Accuracy

Tom Dempsey was not only one of the most powerful kickers in NFL history, but he was also one of the most accurate. He made 80.3% of his field goal attempts during his career, which is a remarkable achievement. His accuracy was a major reason why he was able to play in the NFL for 11 seasons.

Consistency: Dempsey was one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL. He was able to make field goals from all over the field, and he was not afraid to kick in pressure situations. His consistency was a major asset to his teams, and it helped them win many games.
Technique: Dempsey had a very good kicking technique. He was able to get good height and distance on his kicks, and he was also very accurate. His technique was a major reason why he was able to make so many field goals throughout his career.
Mental toughness: Dempsey was a very mentally tough kicker. He was able to stay focused and make kicks even in the most difficult situations. His mental toughness was a major reason why he was able to be so successful in the NFL.
Experience: Dempsey played in the NFL for 11 seasons, and he gained a lot of experience during that time. He learned how to kick in all different types of conditions, and he learned how to handle the pressure of kicking in big games. His experience was a major reason why he was able to be so successful.

Dempsey's accuracy was a major asset to his teams. He helped the Saints win their first playoff game in 1971, and he helped the Eagles win the NFC Championship in 1980. Dempsey was a valuable member of every team he played for, and he is considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history.

3. Determination

Tom Dempsey's determination is an inspiration to us all. He was born with a physical disability, but he never let that stop him from achieving his dreams. He worked hard and never gave up, and he eventually became one of the greatest kickers in NFL history.

Overcoming adversity: Dempsey's story is a reminder that we can overcome any obstacle if we set our minds to it. No matter what challenges we face in life, we should never give up on our dreams.
Importance of perseverance: Dempsey's story shows us the importance of perseverance. He never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL, even when it seemed impossible. He kept working hard and eventually achieved his goal.
Power of belief: Dempsey's story teaches us the power of belief. He believed in himself and his ability to play in the NFL, even when others doubted him. His belief in himself helped him to overcome the challenges he faced and achieve his dreams.
Inspiration to others: Dempsey's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and never give up.

Dempsey's determination is a shining example for us all. He shows us that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, no matter what obstacles we face.

4. Inspiration

Tom Dempsey's story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. He was born with a physical disability, but he never let that stop him from achieving his dreams. He worked hard and never gave up, and he eventually became one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. Dempsey's story shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. No matter what challenges we face in life, we should never give up on our dreams.

Dempsey's story is especially inspiring for people who have faced adversity. He shows us that it is possible to overcome any obstacle if we have the determination and the support of others. Dempsey's story is a reminder that we are all capable of great things, no matter what our circumstances.

The practical significance of Dempsey's story is that it can help us to overcome our own challenges. When we are faced with adversity, we can look to Dempsey's story for inspiration. We can remind ourselves that he never gave up on his dreams, and that we should never give up on ours.

5. Record

Tom Dempsey's record-setting 63-yard field goal is one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. It was a remarkable achievement, considering that he was kicking with a deformed foot. Dempsey's field goal stood as the longest in NFL history for 43 years, until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013.

Distance: Dempsey's field goal was the longest in NFL history for over four decades. It is a testament to his powerful leg and his ability to kick the ball with accuracy and distance.
Accuracy: Dempsey was not only a powerful kicker, but he was also a very accurate kicker. He made 80.3% of his field goal attempts during his career. His accuracy was a major reason why he was able to make such a long field goal.
Legacy: Dempsey's field goal remains one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. It is a reminder of his greatness and his determination to overcome adversity. Dempsey's field goal is a source of inspiration for all athletes and fans.

Dempsey's record-setting field goal is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. He faced adversity throughout his life, but he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. Dempsey's story is an inspiration to us all.

6. Legacy

Tom Dempsey's legacy as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history is cemented by his induction into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1989. This honor is a testament to his remarkable achievements on the field.

Kicking prowess: Dempsey was one of the most powerful and accurate kickers in NFL history. He led the league in scoring in 1971 and was named to two Pro Bowls. His record-setting 63-yard field goal stood for over four decades.
Overcoming adversity: Dempsey was born with a deformed right foot, but he never let that stop him from pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL. His determination and perseverance are an inspiration to all.
Impact on the Saints: Dempsey was a key member of the Saints team that won its first playoff game in 1971. His contributions helped the Saints become a competitive force in the NFL.
Inspiration to others: Dempsey's story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. It shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Dempsey's legacy as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history is secure. He was a dominant player on the field, and his story is an inspiration to us all.

Tom Dempsey FAQs

This section addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about Tom Dempsey, his career, and his legacy.

Question 1: What made Tom Dempsey's kicking ability so remarkable?

Answer: Dempsey was born with a deformed right foot, but he developed a powerful and accurate kicking style that made him one of the most dominant kickers in NFL history.

Question 2: What was Dempsey's most famous achievement?

Answer: Dempsey's most famous achievement was kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970. This record stood for over four decades and is still considered one of the greatest kicking feats in NFL history.

Question 3: What teams did Dempsey play for during his NFL career?

Answer: Dempsey played for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, and Buffalo Bills during his 11-season NFL career.

Question 4: What is Dempsey's legacy in the NFL?

Answer: Dempsey is considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1989 and his record-setting field goal remains one of the most iconic plays in NFL history.

Question 5: How did Dempsey overcome the challenges of being born with a deformed foot?

Answer: Dempsey overcame the challenges of being born with a deformed foot through hard work, determination, and perseverance. He never let his disability define him and went on to become one of the most successful kickers in NFL history.

Summary: Tom Dempsey was a remarkable kicker who overcame adversity to achieve great success in the NFL. His record-setting field goal and his inspiring story continue to inspire athletes and fans around the world.

Transition to the next article section: Tom Dempsey's legacy as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history is secure. His story is an inspiration to us all and a reminder that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey's story is one of perseverance, determination, and triumph. Despite being born with a deformed right foot, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He went on to become one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, setting a record with his 63-yard field goal that stood for over four decades.

Dempsey's legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. His story shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and never give up. Dempsey's determination and perseverance are a reminder that we can all overcome the challenges we face and achieve our dreams.

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