Tom Dempsey was born without an entire foot and hand, but he overcame his disabilities to kick the longest field goal in NFL history, a record that lasted for 43 years — but he fell victim to Covid complications


Tom Dempsey kicking for the New Orleans Saints
Photo: Pinterest

The Covid-19 virus has claimed more than 8,300 lives in the United States, and a legendary professional kicker in the NFL was one of the victims on Saturday.

According to CBS News,

Tom Dempsey was an inspirational NFL player. Despite being born with only half a right foot and no right hand, the tenacious kicker had an 11-year NFL career.

Dempsey kicked a record 63-yard field goal with the New Orleans Saints in 1970.

Dempsey never let his disability keep him from chasing his dreams. In high school, he was a standout lineman, and was also on the wrestling and track teams. He made the leap to college ball, playing defensive end at Palomar Junior College in California.

Dempsey was fitted with a special shoe that allowed him to swing his leg and drive the ball like a polo player using a mallet, and Dempsey’s career started to thrive.

Tyler Sullivan, “Saints legendary kicker Tom Dempsey dies at the age 
of 73 from COVID-19 complications,” April 5, 2020

Battled dementia

Dempsey was 73, and he has been suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease since 2012. He has been suffering from the effects of Covid-19 for about a week, but had electronic communication with his family.

The gutsy kicker played for a number of teams, the longest with the New Orleans Saints. He was a rookie when he kicked the 63-yard field goal,

Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot and fingers on his right hand, but was still able to turn in a strong kicking career with the Saints after signing on with the club in 1969 as an undrafted free agent. Because of that disability, he wore a flat shoe that he kicked with, which is currently on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his rookie season, Dempsey hit a record-setting 63-yard field goal, which was the longest made field goal in NFL history until Matt Prater nailed a 64-yarder in 2013.

While he's most known as being a member of the Saints, Dempsey also made stops with the Eagles, Rams, Oilers and Bills before retiring to New Orleans in 1979. For his career, Dempsey netted 61.6% of his field goals and 89.4% of his extra points. His 729 points scored in his career rank just outside the top 100 on the all-time points list.

Tyler Sullivan, CBS News, April 5, 2020

His story is an example of a man who overcame a great deal. He was still young, but the health problems combined with the virus were too much.

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