1978 Profiles: Tom Dempsey and Carson Long

TOM DEMPSEY

Place Kicker

No 6

Palomar JC

"If you have a son with a physical handicap and he's having trouble adjusting to it, tell him about Tom Dempsey. Tom was born without a right hand and only half of his right foot, but with encouragement from a sports-minded father and plenty and courage and confidence on his own part, he has become one of the better place-kickers in pro football.

Fitted with a special shoe he designed himself, Tom made good on 21 of 41 field goal attempts last year, including a 55-yarder against the Rams that was just one yard short of the professional record, and he converted 33 of 35 PAT's. His total score of 99 points ranked him fifth in the NFL last season.

After graduating from Palomar Junior College in California, Tom spent some time in minor league ball and on the Chargers' taxi squad."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970

"Tom was signed by the Saints as a free agent in August 1969 and blossomed into a star. His point total of 99 was fifth best in the NFL and set a New Orleans club mark. Tom also set club marks with 22 field goals, 33 PAT's and a 55-yard field goal.

Tom played for Lowell in the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1967. He hit on four field goals, the longest being a 57-yarder.

At one time, Tom was a professional wrestler."

-1970 Topps No. 140

"Even if 270-pound Tom Dempsey hadn't rewritten the record books with a 63-yard field goal against Detroit, he'd still belong in the courage hall of fame. Here's a man born with half a right foot- he uses a special kicking shoe- and the stub of a right hand. 'I've always felt I could do anything anybody else did,' is his philosophy, and it has carried him from being a defensive end in high school and college, to a kicker in a semi-pro league and finally to the longest field goal in NFL history.

Though he did come through in the clutch, Dempsey ranked only 14th among NFC scorers. He kicked 16 of 17 extra points and 18 of 34 field goals for a total of 70 points last season."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"Booted his way into the record book- and into the hearts of Saints fans- when he kicked a 63-yard field goal, the longest in the history of the NFL, to beat the Lions, 19-17, on November 8.

Dempsey was born with half a right foot and a stub of a right hand. He wears a special shoe approved by the NFL. 'I don't feel hadicapped,' he says. 'I've always been able to do anything anyone else can do. I've felt that way since I was eight or nine.' His parents encouraged him to play football, and with his size he was a defensive end in high school.

He played semi-pro ball and spent 1968 on the Chargers' taxi squad. He signed as a free agent in 1969.

Dempsey kicked four of seven field goals from the 40 to the 49 last season and three of nine from 50 or more yards. But he was erratic kicking from the 30 to the 39- only one out of five. He missed three of 13 from inside the 30.

Dempsey is a Pro Bowl player."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)

"On November 9, 1970, Tom kicked a 63-yard field goal to help the Saints defeat the Lions 19-17 in the last two seconds. It was the longest field goal in NFL history, breaking the mark of 56  yards held by Bert Rechichar, against the Bears on September 27, 1953. 

The field goal, which was Tom's fourth of the game, broke a barrier. The 60-plus-yard field goal attempt had been routine on practice fields and although it will never become routine in games, it is now likely to be tried more often from time to time when game situations warrant it.

Tom won the Saints' kicking job in the 1969 pre-season game against the Broncos when he booted 3-pointers from the 54, 49 and 12-yard lines. He kicked four field goals each in wins over the Giants and Eagles in 1969.

Tom can throw the shot put 50 yards."

-1971 Topps No. 5

"Dempsey was the most accurate field kicker in the league last season with 12 successful field goal kicks in 17 attempts (.706). He kicked field goals of 41, 42, 45, 51, 52 and 50 yards and missed only one inside the 30.

The presence of Dempsey,' says Eagles coach Ed Khayat, 'means that our offense is a threat to score any time we get near the 50-yard line. And the fact that he was the most accurate kicker in football last year is most unusual because of all the long attempts that we call upon him to make.'

He was born with only half of a right foot and the stub of a right hand. He wears a special shoe approved by the NFL and says he does not feel handicapped in any way.

Dempsey was dropped by the Saints in the final pre-season cut last season. In the previous season he kicked a record-breaking 63-yard field goal in the last few seconds for a 19-17 victory by the Saints over the Lions. He did not get along with Saint coach J.D. Roberts, one argument being over Dempsey's blimpy weight. He was replaced in New Orleans by Skip Butler. 'The kid he sent in (Butler) kicked off three times out of bounds and made a 12-yard field goal and that's what it took to replace me,' says Dempsey.

He reports a great situation with Khayat. 'He leaves me alone and lets me practice the way I want.' "

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)

"Activated by the Eagles, 11-21-71, Tom kicked three field goals in a 30-27 win against the Cardinals that day. He set a new Eagles' record with a 52-yarder for one of three field goals in a 23-20 win over the Lions on December 4. Tom kicked four field goals in a 19-7 win over the Cardinals on December 12, one going 54 yards to break the club record he established the previous week!

Tom spent the 1968 season on the Chargers' taxi squad."

-1972 Topps No. 175

"After leading the NFC in accuracy in 1971, he dropped to ninth in 1972, hitting only 57% of his boots. Dempsey was 6-for-6 inside the 20; 3-of-6 inside the 30; 7-of-10 inside the 40; 2-of-9 inside the 50 and 2-of-4 beyond the 50. His longest kick was 52 yards.

Tom has problems keeping down his weight. He was born with only half of a right foot and a stub of a right hand. He wears a $150 shoe on his right foot.

'If I have a bad day, I don't read the papers.' "

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition)

"Signed by the Eagles for the final five games of 1971, Tom led the league with a .706 field goal percentage. A participant in the 1970 Pro Bowl, he was formerly a member of the Saints."

-1973 Topps No. 59

"One of the greatest long range kickers in pro football history, Tom kicked the longest field goal of all time with a 63-yarder in 1970.

Tom is an account executive in the off-season."

-1974 Topps No. 270

"Tom kicked the longest field goal in NFL history with a 63-yarder for the Saints against the Lions on November 8, 1970. He booted the longest field goal in Eagles' history with a 54-yarder in 1971."

-1975 Topps No. 163

DEMPSEY'S 63-YARDER LONGEST IN HISTORY

November 8, 1970

"Tom kicked a clutch field goal in the closing seconds to give the Saints a come-from-behind victory over the Lions today. The boot was a booming 63-yarder which set a pro standard for the longest kick in history."

-Football Extra, 1975 Topps No. 353

"The Rams' leading scorer in 1975, Tom was third best among NFC kickers."

-1976 Topps No. 519

CARSON LONG

Place Kicker
No. 5
Pittsburgh
Carson was outstanding in his rookie year. He was successful on seven of 11 field goal attempts, including 5-for-8 from at least 30 yards and 3-for-6 from at least 40 yards. Carson also converted 13 of 14 PATs.