Professional football player Tom Dempsey was a 6-foot, 2-inch, 255-pound placekicker who played for the NFL from 1968 through 1979. During that time, he made First Team All-Pro in 1969 and played in the Pro Bowl that same year. He was a George Halas Award winner in 1971. One of his field goals set an NFL record that lasted for more than four decades.

Tom Dempsey’s accomplishments are amazing in itself, but it is even more amazing and inspirational when you learn that Tom Dempsey was born with no toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand. Dempsey didn’t let his disabilities slow him down or prevent him from following his dreams. However, there are many people in the sports world who feel that Dempsey’s special kicking shoe actually gave him an advantage over other football placekickers. Let’s dig into this and see some colorized photographs of his record-breaking kick. 

When Tom Dempsey arrived into the world in Milwaukee in 1947, he was born with limb deformities. He had no digits on his right hand or right foot. As a child Dempsey was determined to overcome his obstacles and he had the unwavering support of his parents. They refused to baby him or make special accommodations for his disabilities. Dempsey later credited his father for his can-do attitude. His father often told him, “Never say ‘can’t’. You may have to do something differently, but you can do it.”

Sports

Tom Dempsey grew up loving sports. As a child, his family moved to California and he played football for his high school, San Dieguito High School. He continued his football career at Palomar College as a defensive lineman and kicker. While still a student at Palomar, Dempsey received an invitation to try out for the Green Bay Packers and their coach, the legendary Vince Lombardi. Since Dempsey was such a big guy, Lombardi wanted him as an offensive lineman and field goal kicker. But the tryouts didn’t go Dempsey’s way. He faced off against some players who were more physically dominant. When Dempsey was cut, he didn’t view it as a failure or a setback. He viewed it as a sign that he should concentrate his efforts on kicking. 

Throughout his high school and college football days, Tom Dempsey wore special shoes to accommodate his disability. He and his father had an athletic shoe made for him that was squared off. After all, he didn’t need the toe room. With that special shoe and a lot of practice, Dempsey’s kicking skills greatly improved. In 1969, he joined the New Orleans Saints. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, the Houston Oilers, and the Buffalo Bills. But it was with the Saints that Dempsey made history.

A Record-Breaking Kick

On November 8, 1970, the New Orleans Saints played host to the Detroit Lions at New Orleans’ Tulane Stadium. In those days, the NFL goalposts were located at the goal line, not further back at the end line. This would change in 1974. At this game, however, the Saints were trailing, and the clock was ticking down. Their only hope was a field goal, but it was a long shot.

Holder Joe Scarpati got into position at the Saints’ 37-yard line to receive the snap from Jackie Burkett. With the ball in place, Tom Dempsey went in for the kick. The home crowd cheered as the bar sailed over the bar of the goal post, giving the Saints a much-needed win. More importantly, Dempsey’s field goal set an NFL record. At a distance of 63-yards, it broke the previous record, set by Bert Rechichar, by seven years. 

Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal could not be broken for more than 40 years. Three players actually tied this feat – Jason Elam in 1998, Sebastian Janikowski in 2011, and David Akers in 2012, but it wasn’t until Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens kicked a 64-yard field goal on September 26, 2021 – once again, against the Detroit Lions – that Dempsey’s record was finally broken. For the 40-plus years that it stood unbroken, Dempsey’s achievement was not without controversy.

A Competitive Edge?

It was argued by many that Tom Dempsey’s special kicking shoe, meant to accommodate his disability, actually gave him a competitive edge over other kickers. While most kickers used a soccer-style kick, Dempsey kicked the football straight on. The flat front of his custom sneaker, they stated, aided in his distance and accuracy. To determine if this was, indeed, the case, ESPN Sports Science conducted an analysis and experiments on various types of shoes. They concluded that Dempsey’s custom shoe did not give him an unfair advantage. In fact, they determined that the design of the shoe increased his margin for error and decreased the power of the kick.

Despite the findings of this report, the NFL added a new rule in 1977, which became known as the Tom Dempsey Rule, that stated: “any shoe that is worn by a player with an artificial limb on his kicking leg but has a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe.”

More Obstacles to Overcome

After Tom Dempsey retired from football, he settled down with his wife, Carlene, in their New Orleans home. In 2005, the couple lost their home to flooding when Hurricane Katrina swept through.

In early 2013, Dempsey was diagnosed with dementia. It was discovered that Dempsey had damage to his brain, most likely caused by undiagnosed concussions he sustained during his football career. 

In 2020, Dempsey was living in a senior residence center when the Covid-19 virus infected several of the residents, including him. He died on March 30, 2020, from Covid complications.