RIP Tom Dempsey

[Inquisitor95]

Ex-Saints kicker Dempsey dies from coronavirus

Former New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey, who famously made a 63-yard field goal in 1970 despite being born without toes on his right kicking foot, has died due to complications of the coronavirus, his daughter said. He was 73.

Ashley Dempsey said Sunday that her father tested positive for the coronavirus a little more than a week ago.

Dempsey had been battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia. He was a resident at the Lambeth House senior living center in New Orleans, which has been hit hard by the virus. More than 50 residents have been affected, according to NOLA.com.

 

[GNG]

RIP

 

[handicappers]

a toeless kicker?

 

[cheerupcharlie]

^^^^
A dickless dude?

 

[broncosmitty]

The Lions didn't even try and block that kick.



May he Rest In Peace. Feel very sorry for people going out without their loved ones at their side right now. Genuinely hurts my heart.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I'm old enough to remember that kick. Back then a 50 yard field goal was a big deal, what he did was not unlike that long jumper at the Mexico City Olympics who beat the world record by like 3 feet.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Have first hand experience (grandmother post 80+ and neighbor in 50s) with dementia/Alzheimer disease. I don't know how far along it was with Dempsey but I will say the sooner you get it the faster it progresses. Very terrible thing to witness..

Dare I say (incoming facepalms, etc.) this might've been for the better. I wont make it to 70+ (if I do my liver will be on sports science) but that seems like the worst way to go. That's about as close to 'zombie' as we are at the moment.

 

[Uhsplit]

The Lions didn't even try and block that kick.



May he Rest In Peace. Feel very sorry for people going out without their loved ones at their side right now. Genuinely hurts my heart.

Probably 20 years ago, I was listening to one of the linemen who was in on that play. I don't remember which team he was on but I remember his description of that play.
Correct that no one blocked. As I recall, the interviewee said when the ball was hiked, all of the linemen just fell forward thinking the play had no chance. Once on the ground, they all heard "WHOMP!". Amazed at the sound they heard, they looked up to watch the ball sailing away...history.
RIP

 

[Indrid Cold]

Goal post was at the goal line back then....ten yards shorter than now.
Didn't remember that Denpsey was a chubby guy...sad news about his passing.

 

[broncosmitty]

Goal post was at the goal line back then....ten yards shorter than now.
Didn't remember that Denpsey was a chubby guy...sad news about his passing.

The ball was kicked from the Saints 37 yard line.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Goal post was at the goal line back then....ten yards shorter than now.
Didn't remember that Denpsey was a chubby guy...sad news about his passing.

The ball was kicked from the Saints 37 yard line.

yeah. 63 yds.
Doesnt matter where the goal posts were. it is the distance kicked.

 

[Indrid Cold]

Thanks for correcting me, I thought modern kicks had to be 10 yards longer.

He was still chubby.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I'm old enough to remember that kick. Back then a 50 yard field goal was a big deal, what he did was not unlike that long jumper at the Mexico City Olympics who beat the world record by like 3 feet.

Bob Beamon.

I saw it.

It was infuckingcredible.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Bob Beamon.

I saw it.

It was infuckingcredible.

Saw it live or on TV? It was a cool story, they gave the distance in meters and he was unfamiliar with metric system so he didn't realize how far he had jumped until a moment later, then the tears came.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Saw it live or on TV? It was a cool story, they gave the distance in meters and he was unfamiliar with metric system so he didn't realize how far he had jumped until a moment later, then the tears came.

Live on TV.

I wouldn't go to Mexico if I was paid.

Also memorable for US 1,500 M world record favourite Jim Ryun getting smoked by Kenyan Kipchoge Keino...

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Live on TV.

I wouldn't go to Mexico if I was paid.

Also memorable for US 1,500 M world record favourite Jim Ryun getting smoked by Kenyan Kipchoge Keino...

I remember Dave Waddle in the '72 Olympics. He was running the 800 and as a kid I didn't know anything about the strategy of distance running, all I knew was our guy was LOSING! When he came back and won it was one of the most exciting things I had seen at the time.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I remember Dave Waddle in the '72 Olympics. He was running the 800 and as a kid I didn't know anything about the strategy of distance running, all I knew was our guy was LOSING! When he came back and won it was one of the most exciting things I had seen at the time.

Yup, strategy exists in track on the longer distances.

Mexico '68 was also famous for this.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Yup, strategy exists in track on the longer distances.

Mexico '68 was also famous for this.

View attachment 237910

Yeah that third guy was Australian, he was the one to give them the idea to split the pair of gloves as they which is why they are not both using their right hand. He wanted to do it too but I can't remember if it was the lack of a glove or the feeling that he did not want to steal their moment, but he was in full support of the move.

 

[RobToxin]

Thanks for correcting me, I thought modern kicks had to be 10 yards longer.

He was still chubby.

You are correct in a way. Today, the Dempsey kick would have been a 73 yarder.

 

[Indrid Cold]

Yup, strategy exists in track on the longer distances.
Mexico '68 was also famous for this.
View attachment 237910

When I was a kid, I couldn't fathom why this was a big deal. They were just expressing themselves in a nonviolent and inoffensive way...why the big furor?