Tom Dempsey: The NFL's Longest Field Goal Kicker

Who is Tom Dempsey?

Tom Dempsey was an American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Dempsey was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1947. He played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Saints in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft.

Dempsey quickly became one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL. He led the league in field goal percentage in 1971 and 1972, and he was named to the Pro Bowl three times. In 1970, he set the NFL record for the longest field goal ever kicked. The record stood for 43 years, until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013.

Dempsey retired from the NFL in 1979. He was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Dempsey's record-setting field goal is one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. It is a testament to his skill and determination, and it continues to inspire football players today.

Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey was an American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints.

• Kicker
• Record-holder
• Accurate
• Determined
• Resilient
• Inspirational
• Hall of Famer
• Legend

Dempsey's record-setting field goal is one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. It is a testament to his skill, determination, and resilience. Dempsey was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. However, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He worked hard to develop his kicking skills, and he eventually became one of the most accurate kickers in the league. 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.

1. Kicker

A kicker is a player in American football who is responsible for kicking the ball. Kickers typically perform kickoffs, field goals, and extra points. They must have a strong leg and be accurate in order to be successful.

Tom Dempsey was one of the most famous kickers in NFL history. He was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. However, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He worked hard to develop his kicking skills, and he eventually became one of the most accurate kickers in the league. In 1970, he set the NFL record for the longest field goal ever kicked, a 63-yarder.

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. He is a true example of what it means to be a kicker, and his legacy will continue to inspire players for years to come.

2. Record-holder

Tom Dempsey is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints. The record stood for 43 years, until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013.

• Longest field goal ever kicked
  

  Dempsey's 63-yard field goal is the longest ever kicked in an NFL game. It is a testament to his skill and determination, and it continues to inspire football players today.

• Most accurate kicker
  

  Dempsey was one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. He led the league in field goal percentage in 1971 and 1972, and he was named to the Pro Bowl three times.

• Hall of Famer
  

  Dempsey was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. He is one of only a few players to be inducted into both halls of fame.

• 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.

Dempsey's record-setting field goal is one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. It is a testament to his skill, determination, and resilience. He is a true example of what it means to be a record-holder, and his legacy will continue to inspire players for years to come.

3. Accurate

Tom Dempsey was one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. He led the league in field goal percentage in 1971 and 1972, and he was named to the Pro Bowl three times. His accuracy was due to a combination of factors, including his strong leg, his ability to focus, and his dedication to practice.

Dempsey's accuracy was essential to his success as a kicker. He was able to consistently make kicks from long distances, which gave his team a significant advantage. His accuracy also helped him to set the NFL record for the longest field goal ever kicked, a 63-yarder.

Dempsey's accuracy is a valuable lesson for anyone who wants to be successful in life. It shows that hard work, dedication, and focus can help you to achieve your goals. It also shows that accuracy is an important quality in any field, whether you are a kicker, a surgeon, or a scientist.

4. Determined

Tom Dempsey was a determined football player. He was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. However, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He worked hard to improve his kicking skills, and he eventually became one of the most accurate kickers in the league.

• Overcoming Obstacles
  

  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 never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL, even though he faced many challenges. He is an example of the power of determination and perseverance.

• Setting Goals
  

  Dempsey set a goal for himself to play in the NFL. He knew that it would be difficult, but he was determined to achieve his goal. He worked hard every day to improve his kicking skills, and he never gave up on his dream. Dempsey's story shows us the importance of setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

• Staying Focused
  

  Dempsey stayed focused on his goal of playing in the NFL. He didn't let anything distract him from his goal. He worked hard every day, and he never gave up on his dream. Dempsey's story shows us the importance of staying focused and never giving up on our dreams.

• Achieving Success
  

  Dempsey achieved his goal of playing in the NFL. He played for 11 seasons and set the record for the longest field goal ever kicked. Dempsey's story shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and never give up on our dreams.

Dempsey's determination is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and never give up on our dreams.

5. Resilient

Tom Dempsey was a resilient football player. He was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. However, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He worked hard to improve his kicking skills, and he eventually became one of the most accurate kickers in the league. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints.

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 and never give up. Dempsey faced many challenges in his life, but he never gave up on his dream. He is an example of the power of resilience.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. It is an important quality for anyone who wants to be successful in life. Dempsey's story shows us that resilience is essential for overcoming adversity and achieving our goals.

6. Inspirational

Tom Dempsey is an inspirational figure for many reasons. He was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. However, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He worked hard to improve his kicking skills, and he eventually became one of the most accurate kickers in the league. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints.

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 and never give up. Dempsey faced many challenges in his life, but he never gave up on his dream. He is an example of the power of resilience and determination.

Dempsey's story is also inspirational because it shows the importance of following your dreams. Dempsey never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL, even though he faced many challenges. He is an example of the power of perseverance and dedication.

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 on our dreams.

7. Hall of Famer

Tom Dempsey is a Hall of Famer. He was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. He is one of only a few players to be inducted into both halls of fame.

• Recognition of Excellence
  

  The Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a football player. It is a recognition of excellence and achievement. Dempsey's induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his skill and dedication to the game of football.

• Inspiration
  

  Hall of Famers are role models and inspirations to young athletes. They show what is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard. Dempsey's story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. It shows that anything is possible if you never give up on your dreams.

• Legacy
  

  Hall of Famers leave a lasting legacy in the world of sports. Their names and accomplishments are forever etched in the history books. Dempsey's induction into the Hall of Fame ensures that his legacy will live on for generations to come.

• Appreciation
  

  The Hall of Fame is a way to show appreciation for the great players who have made the game of football what it is today. Dempsey's induction into the Hall of Fame is a way to thank him for his contributions to the game and to show our appreciation for his skill and determination.

Dempsey's induction into the Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to his remarkable career. He is a true Hall of Famer and an inspiration to us all.

8. Legend

Tom Dempsey is a legend in the world of football. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints. 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 and never give up on your dreams.

Dempsey was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. However, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL. He worked hard to improve his kicking skills, and he eventually became one of the most accurate kickers in the league. Dempsey's story is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

Dempsey's legacy is one of inspiration and achievement. He is a role model for anyone who has ever faced adversity. His story shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and never give up on your dreams.

Dempsey's status as a legend is secure. He is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His record-setting field goal is still the longest ever kicked in an NFL game. Dempsey's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and never give up on our dreams.

FAQs About Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey was an American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints. Here are some frequently asked questions about Tom Dempsey:

Question 1: What was Tom Dempsey's deformity?

Tom Dempsey was born with a deformed right foot, which made it difficult for him to kick. His foot was missing toes and was shorter than his left foot.

Question 2: How did Tom Dempsey overcome his deformity to become a successful NFL kicker?

Dempsey overcame his deformity through hard work and dedication. He spent hours practicing his kicking skills, and he developed a unique kicking style that allowed him to kick the ball accurately and consistently.

Question 3: What is Tom Dempsey's NFL legacy?

Tom Dempsey is remembered as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. He led the league in field goal percentage twice, and he was named to the Pro Bowl three times. He is also known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which stood for 43 years.

Question 4: What is Tom Dempsey's impact on the NFL?

Tom Dempsey's impact on the NFL is significant. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and never give up on your dreams. He is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity.

Question 5: What awards and honors did Tom Dempsey receive?

Tom Dempsey was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. He is one of only a few players to be inducted into both halls of fame.

Tom Dempsey's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and never give up on our dreams.

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Conclusion

Tom Dempsey was an American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He is best known for his record-setting 63-yard field goal, which he kicked in 1970 while playing for the New Orleans Saints. 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 and never give up on your dreams.

Dempsey's legacy is one of inspiration and achievement. He is a role model for anyone who has ever faced adversity. His story shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and never give up on your dreams. Dempsey's story is a reminder that we all have the potential to achieve great things, no matter what challenges we face.