The Legendary Tom Dempsey: Football's Longest Field Goal

Who was Tom Dempsey? Tom Dempsey was an American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons.

Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot, and he wore a special shoe to play football. He was a placekicker, and he is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970.

Dempsey's field goal record stood for 43 years, until it was broken by Matt Prater in 2013. Dempsey was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and he was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1989.

Dempsey's story is an inspiration to people with disabilities. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey was an American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was born without toes on his right foot, and he wore a special shoe to play football. He was a placekicker, and he is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970.

• American football player
• Placekicker
• Record-setting 63-yard field goal
• Born without toes on his right foot
• Wore a special shoe to play football
• Three-time Pro Bowl selection

Dempsey's story is an inspiration to people with disabilities. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. He was a pioneer for players with disabilities, and he helped to change the way that people view them.

1. American football player

Tom Dempsey was an American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was a placekicker, and he is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970.

• Role
  

  American football players are athletes who play the sport of American football. They are typically divided into two teams of 11 players each, and the goal of the game is to advance the ball down the field and score points by crossing the opponent's goal line. American football players must be strong, fast, and agile, and they must have good hand-eye coordination.

• Examples
  

  Some of the most famous American football players include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Jerry Rice. These players have all achieved great success in the NFL, and they are considered to be some of the best players in the history of the game.

• Implications for Tom Dempsey
  

  Tom Dempsey was an American football player who played in the NFL for 11 seasons. He was a placekicker, and he is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970. Dempsey's story is an inspiration to people with disabilities. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Tom Dempsey was a pioneer for players with disabilities, and he helped to change the way that people view them. He was a great American football player, and he is an inspiration to us all.

2. Placekicker

A placekicker is a player in American football who kicks the ball through the goalposts to score points. Placekickers are typically very accurate and powerful, and they must be able to kick the ball long distances.

Tom Dempsey was one of the most famous placekickers in NFL history. He was born without toes on his right foot, and he wore a special shoe to kick the ball. Despite his disability, Dempsey was a very successful placekicker. He set the NFL record for the longest field goal in 1970, and he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Dempsey's story is an inspiration to people with disabilities. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. He was a pioneer for players with disabilities, and he helped to change the way that people view them.

3. Record-setting 63-yard field goal

Tom Dempsey's record-setting 63-yard field goal was one of the most remarkable achievements in NFL history. It was the longest field goal ever made at the time, and it stood as the record for over 40 years. Dempsey's kick was even more impressive considering that he was born without toes on his right foot.

• Distance
  

  Dempsey's field goal was 63 yards long, which is an incredible distance. The average NFL field goal is only about 43 yards long. Dempsey's kick was so long because he had a very strong leg and a very accurate kicking motion.

• Accuracy
  

  Not only was Dempsey's field goal long, it was also very accurate. The ball went straight through the middle of the goalposts. Dempsey was a very skilled kicker, and he was able to put the ball exactly where he wanted it.

• Significance
  

  Dempsey's field goal was a major accomplishment. It was the longest field goal ever made at the time, and it stood as the record for over 40 years. Dempsey's kick helped to change the way that people thought about field goals. It showed that it was possible to kick a field goal from a very long distance.

Dempsey's record-setting field goal was a testament to his skill and determination. He was a pioneer for kickers with disabilities, and he showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

4. Born without toes on his right foot

Tom Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot. This condition is known as congenital toe amputation, and it occurs when a baby is born with one or more toes missing. The cause of congenital toe amputation is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

• Challenges
  

  People who are born without toes on their feet may face a number of challenges. They may have difficulty walking and running, and they may be more prone to foot injuries. They may also experience pain and discomfort in their feet.

• Adaptations
  

  People who are born without toes on their feet can learn to adapt and live full and active lives. They may use special shoes or orthotics to help them walk and run. They may also participate in adaptive sports, such as swimming or cycling.

• Inspiration
  

  Tom Dempsey is an inspiration to people with disabilities. He showed that it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve great things. Dempsey was a successful NFL placekicker, and he set the record for the longest field goal in NFL history.

Dempsey's story shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. We should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face.

5. Wore a special shoe to play football

Tom Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot. This condition made it difficult for him to walk and run, and it would have been impossible for him to play football without a special shoe.

Dempsey's special shoe was designed to help him balance and kick the ball. The shoe had a built-up sole on the right foot, which helped to compensate for the missing toes. The shoe also had a special toe guard, which protected Dempsey's foot from injury.

Dempsey's special shoe allowed him to play football at a high level. He was a successful placekicker, and he set the NFL record for the longest field goal in 1970. Dempsey's story is an inspiration to people with disabilities. It shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

The connection between "Wore a special shoe to play football" and "Tom Dempsey" is significant because it highlights the importance of adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. Adaptive equipment can help people with disabilities to participate in activities that they would not be able to do otherwise. In Dempsey's case, his special shoe allowed him to play football at a high level and to achieve great success.

6. Three-time Pro Bowl selection

Tom Dempsey was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, an honor bestowed upon the best players in the NFL. His Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his skill and dedication to the game of football.

• Recognition of excellence
  

  The Pro Bowl is an all-star game that showcases the best players in the NFL. Being selected to the Pro Bowl is a great honor, and it is a sign that a player is among the elite in their position.

• Consistency and longevity
  

  Dempsey was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, which shows that he was able to maintain a high level of play for an extended period of time. This is a difficult thing to do in the NFL, where the competition is fierce and the players are constantly pushing each other to improve.

• Inspiration for others
  

  Dempsey's Pro Bowl selections are an inspiration to other players, especially those with disabilities. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Dempsey's story is a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face.

Dempsey's Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his skill, dedication, and perseverance. He is an inspiration to all of us, and he reminds us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

FAQs about Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey was an American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was born without toes on his right foot, and he wore a special shoe to play football. He is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970.

Question 1:What was Tom Dempsey's disability?

Tom Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot. This condition is known as congenital toe amputation, and it occurs when a baby is born with one or more toes missing.

Question 2:How did Tom Dempsey play football with only one toe?

Tom Dempsey wore a special shoe to play football. The shoe had a built-up sole on the right foot, which helped to compensate for the missing toes. The shoe also had a special toe guard, which protected Dempsey's foot from injury.

Question 3:What is Tom Dempsey's most famous achievement?

Tom Dempsey is best known for kicking a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970. This was the longest field goal ever made at the time, and it stood as the record for over 40 years.

Question 4:How many Pro Bowls did Tom Dempsey play in?

Tom Dempsey was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1969, 1970, and 1971.

Question 5:What is Tom Dempsey's legacy?

Tom Dempsey is an inspiration to people with disabilities. He showed that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Dempsey was a successful NFL placekicker, and he set the record for the longest field goal in NFL history. His story shows us that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face.

Summary

Tom Dempsey was a remarkable athlete who overcame a physical disability to achieve great success in the NFL. He is an inspiration to us all, and his story reminds us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

Transition to the next article section

Tom Dempsey's story is a powerful reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face. He is an inspiration to us all, and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.

Conclusion

Tom Dempsey was a remarkable athlete who overcame a physical disability to achieve great success in the NFL. He is an inspiration to us all, and his story reminds us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

Dempsey's story is a powerful reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face. He is an inspiration to us all, and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.