His 63-Yard Launch Put Him in Record Books

His sports career began in north San Diego County, at San Dieguito High in Encinitas.

Tom Dempsey was a standout football lineman and a champion wrestler. But what set him apart from other athletes was his drive to overcome birth defects. He was born with half a right foot and no right hand. But by wearing a special shoe, he was able to achieve solid balance and leverage.

And in one sports activity he learned being born with half a foot was actually an advantage--kicking long, straight field goals. He was so proficient at it he was signed by the New Orleans Saints right out of Palomar Junior College.

For Dempsey, kicking field goals was like hitting a golf ball with a long, willowy golf club with a small head. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Dempsey--who kicked a 55-yarder in his 1969 rookie season--was able to generate more leg speed than most kickers.

And 29 years ago today, Dempsey kicked what ranks as the NFL’s longest field goal, a 63-yarder with two seconds left that gave his Saints a 19-17 victory over Detroit at Tulane Stadium.

The record was tied last season by Denver’s Jason Elam.

Two 60-yarders have been kicked since Dempsey’s milestone--by Steve Cox in 1984 and Morten Andersen in 1991.

Dempsey’s 63-yarder that beat Detroit was his fourth field goal of the game.

Detroit appeared to have won it on an 18-yard Erroll Mann field goal with 11 seconds remaining. But Saint quarterback Billy Kilmer got the ball to midfield with two seconds left and in went Dempsey.

“Give it your best shot,” said Saint Coach J.D. Roberts told Dempsey.

The holder, Joe Scarpati, set up an extra yard behind the line of scrimmage, to give Dempsey a bit more time. The ball sprang from Dempsey’s foot and split the uprights, dead center, with room to spare.

“I knew I’d gotten a perfect snap, had a little extra time, the protection was perfect and that I’d kicked the ball awfully hard,” he said.

The Lions were beyond stunned. Said Detroit linebacker Wayne Walker: “Tom Dempsey didn’t kick that field goal. God kicked it.”

Also on this date: In 1960, UCLA chancellor Franklin D. Murphy set in motion a process that resulted in the opening of Pauley Pavilion in 1967. He committed the university to the construction of “a 10,000-seat auditorium” on the campus.