It is one of the most memorable NFL moments in a career that was absolutely remarkable. New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey connecting on a then-record-63 yard field goal in 1970 to defeat the Detroit Lions.
Now, Dempsey is battling the coronavirus in New Orleans. He contracted the novel coronavirus during the outbreak at a senior living center in New Orleans, his daughter said Monday. Ashley Dempsey said her 73-year-old father — who is battling Alzheimer’s disease and dementia — developed symptoms of the respiratory disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, late last week. He was tested for COVID-19 and evaluated at Tulane University Medical Center.
The hospital deemed his oxygen levels to be adequate, and because Dempsey can’t feed himself, the decision was made to send him back to the nursing care section at Lambeth House, Ashley Dempsey said. Tom Dempsey’s positive test result came back Saturday; Ashley Dempsey said her father’s symptoms have been relatively mild, and his caretakers have been able to control his fever with Tylenol. “His appetite has been good,” Ashley Dempsey said. “He’s doing OK.”
Dempsey, like all his neighbors, has been cut off from his family since shortly after the outbreak started. Lambeth House had prohibited non-essential visitors by the time the first COVID-19 case there was publicly announced March 10.
The Tom Dempsey story was one of the most remarkable in NFL history. The kicker was born without toes on the right foot that kicked the historic field goal and without fingers on his right hand. Still, he played football — defensive line — in high school and was also on the wrestling and track teams. He made the leap to college ball, playing defensive end at Palomar Junior College in California. Dempsey was fitted with a special shoe that allowed him to swing his leg and drive the ball.
He eventually had an 11-year NFL career with his most memorable moment coming Nov. 8, 1970. Trailing 17-16 with time running out, Dempsey took the field and attempted a field goal from 63 yards. He connected.
Dempsey played with the Saints, Eagles, Rams, Oilers and Bills and scored 729 points in his NFL career.