Tom Dempsey’s long field goal is part of NFL lore.
COVID-19 affects us all, and we’re seeing headliners die of the disease. Yesterday, a legendary NFL player–kicker Tom Dempsey–died in New Orleans after struggling with Coronavirus. He was 73 years old.
Dempsey will be forever known as the player who broke the NFL record for longest field goal.
Kicked in 1970 for the New Orleans Saints against the Detroit Lions, his game-ending 63-yarder is considered one of greatest kicks of all-time.
Courtesy: Lillian Encinas, WordPress.com
But that history-making kick was also a source of considerable controversy. Born without toes on his right foot, Dempsey used a specially-made device to kick. Many in the game thought that gave Dempsey an advantage.
RIP Tom Dempsey.
