Legendary Saints Kicker Tom Dempsey Passes Away at 73 After Battle With Coronavirus
By Michael Luciano
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently ravaging the United States, leaving thousands of elderly Americans at risk. The virus claimed another life late Saturday night, bringing heartbreak to Louisiana and the NFL.
Former New Orleans Saints placekicker Tom Dempsey, who kicked in the NFL for 11 years despite being born without toes on his right foot or fingers on his right hand, passed away due to complications brought on by the virus at the age of 73.
#Saints' legendary placekicker Tom Dempsey died late Saturday after a battle with coronavirus. He was 73.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 5, 2020
RIP, Tom Dempsey.
This comes as a major shock given how he was thought to have recovered just a few days ago.
Dempsey is most well known for his days with the New Orleans Saints, where he was named a Pro Bowerl and All-Pro, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In the moribund days before Drew Brees, Dempsey was one of the team's seminal players, as he set the NFL record for longest field goal in NFL history when he nailed a 63-yarder against the Detroit Lions in 1970.
Dempsey went on to kick for the Bills, Rams, and Oilers in an 11-year career. In total, Dempsey, one of the last kickers to kick straight up instead of "soccer style", made 61.6 percent of his kicks
On November 8, 1970 Saints PK Tom Dempsey kicked the game-winning 63 yard FG versus the Lions at Tulane stadium, 19-17. ???
— AFL GODFATHER (@NFLMAVERICK) April 5, 2020
Rest In Peace PK Thomas John Dempsey
(January 12, 1947 - April 4, 2020) pic.twitter.com/SsDh6OuTt9
Dempsey was one of the most productive kickers in football in a notoriously difficult era of kicking, all the while setting records and serving as an inspiration for defeating his physical shortcoming. His loss is sure to sting the Saints and the entire NFL community.