Despite kicking a record NFL field goal of 63-yards the year before, kicker Tom Dempsey was released by the Saints in 1971. He joined the Eagles before the season ended and would end up leading the Eagles in scoring with 49 points (12 field goals and 13 xtra points) and kick the NFL's longest field goal of the season of 54 yards against the Cardinals. He converted on kicks of 52 and 50 as well.
Kicker Tom Dempsey was a free agent signing of the New Orleans Saints in 1969 out of Palomar College in California . He spent the first 2 seasons of an 11-year career there. He even kicked a pretty long field goal in 1970.
Tom Dempsey kicks one of his 4 field goals he hit against the Lions in 1970 - the last a game-winning 63-yarder, an NFL record that would stand for over 40 years.
Saints rookie kicker Tom Dempsey (#19) with Dave Whitsell (#23)
The half-footed kicker of the Saints sends one through. Also pictured are #59, Saints linebacker Wayne Coleman and holder Joe Scarpati, #21.
1979, his last of 11 seasons in the NFL. He only played 3 games.
127 games played & 729 career points scored. Passed away in 2020 in a New Orleans nursing home from COVID.
The physically handicapped record setting kicker of the Saints
The legendary kicker finished his 11-year career with the Buffalo Bills in 1979. His totals as a Bill were 77 points scored - 11 field goals and 44 extra-points.
Here is one of 4 field goals he kicked against the Detroit Lions during that 1970 regular season game at Tulane Stadium. Later, with time running out, he would kick the NFL record 63-yarder to defeat the Lions 19-17. That record would stand for over 40 years.“Wild” Bill Cody, #66 in the picture. Sent me this picture. Cody played linebacker as well special teams and was one of the original Saints in 1967.Also pictured are Saints Jake Kupp (#50), Mike Taylor (#77), Joe Scarpati (#21) is the holder and of course, Tom Dempsey (#19) is the kicker.Detroit Lion Hall of Famer Alex Karras (#71) is in the foreground along with Jerry Rush (#82).
The Saints kicker gets set to send the football through the uprights in Tulane Stadium in 1970. The 63-yard kick set an new NFL record that stood over 40 years until it was broken by Broncos kicker Matt Prater in 2013.
This image came to me from "Wild" Bill Cody - #66 in the picture. He tries to take on 2 Lions, one of them Hall of Famer Alex Karras (#71). Jackie Burket (not pictured) is the holder, Joe Scarpati (#21) holds and of course, Tom Dempsey (#19) is the kicker.
"Wild" Bill Cody (#66) gives Alex Karras (#71) a little leg whip as Tom Dempsey (#19) boots his NFL record setting kick of 63 yards against the Detroit Lions in Tulane Stadium. The kick gave the Saints a 19-17 win. Joe Scarpati is the holder.
A Pro Bowler in 1969 Tom Dempsey played in New Orleans 2 seasons.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
The pride and joy of Palomer College he is best remembered as the holder of Longest Field Kick record of 63 yards for almost 40 years. Despite being born with no toes on his right foot and a stump of a right arm Dempsey played for 11 years in the NFL.
