Tom Dempsey
The only kicker in NFL history to successfully kick a field goal from beyond his own team's 40-yard line before the relocation of goal posts.
Thomas John Dempsey (January 12, 1947 – April 4, 2020) was an American professional football player who was a placekicker for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills. Unlike the soccer-style approach becoming common during his career, he used the straight-toe style. Born with no toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand, he wore a custom, flat-front kicking shoe with no toe box to accommodate his structure.
- Role
- Placekicker
- Affiliation
- New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, Buffa
- Legacy Record
- Held NFL record for longest field goal (63 yards) from 1970 to 2013
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
On November 8, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Dempsey kicked a 63-yard field goal as time expired to give the Saints a 19–17 win over the Detroit Lions. Holder Joe Scarpati spotted the ball on the Saints' own 37-yard line, and kicker Jackie Burkett snapped it successfully. The kick just barely cleared the crossbar. This broke Bert Rechichar's record by seven yards. The win was one of only two for the Saints that season.
In Their Own Story
Dempsey wore a modified $200 shoe (equivalent to $1,658 in 2025) with a flattened and enlarged toe surface, which generated controversy about an unfair advantage. When asked if it was unfair, he replied: 'Unfair, eh? How 'bout you try kickin' a 63-yard field goal to win it with 2 seconds left an' yer wearin' a square shoe, oh yeah, and no toes either.' ESPN Sport Science later analyzed the kick and determined the shoe gave him no advantage. The NFL subsequently moved goal posts back in 1974 and added the 'Tom Dempsey Rule' in 1977 regarding artificial limbs on kicking legs.
Reader's Guide
Dempsey's record stood for 43 years until it was tied by Jason Elam (1998), Sebastian Janikowski (2011), and David Akers (2012), before being broken by Matt Prater on December 8, 2013, with a 64-yard field goal. In 1983, he was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame. He resided in Metairie, Louisiana, with his wife Carlene, who taught history at Kehoe-France. His house flooded during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In January 2013, he revealed a diagnosis of dementia involving brain damage and three holes found by psychiatrist Daniel Amen. On March 30, 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19 at a New Orleans senior residence and died on April 4, 2020.
Did You Know?
- Dempsey was born with no toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand.
- His custom kicking shoe cost $200 in 1970, equivalent to $1,658 in 2025.
- He remains the only player in NFL history to kick a field goal from beyond his own team's 40-yard line prior to the relocation of goal posts.
- The league added the 'Tom Dempsey Rule' in 1977 regarding shoes for players with artificial limbs on their kicking leg.