Posted on 04/05/2020 7:52:17 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Nicknamed “Stumpy’’ by teammates, Dempsey seemed an unlikely football hero. He was born without fingers on his right hand or toes on his right foot. He wore a small, flat shoe on his kicking foot that is now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As a rookie in 1969, Dempsey delivered an All-Pro season but was cut by the Saints in 1971 after missing seven of eight kicks during preseason, which he attributed to falling out of shape while being treated to countless drinks and meals after his historic kick. But he rebounded and played for several other teams — the Eagles, Rams, Oilers and Bills — before retiring following the 1979 season.
After retiring, Dempsey returned to New Orleans with his wife, Carlene. He helped her raise a family and — over the years — worked as an oilfield salesman, coached football at Archbishop Rummel High School and managed a car dealership for the late Tom Benson, who bought the Saints in 1985.
In 2012, Dempsey publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with dementia and detailed the treatment he was receiving. He spent the final years of his life at Lambeth House.
Dempsey was diagnosed with COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease, on March 25, Ashley Dempsey said.
She said her father's fight against the virus started promisingly, but his condition gradually worsened.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
RIP
I remember “The Kick.” RIP.
One of the last straight-on kickers. And with his special foot, he could kick it a long way. RIP.
RIP
Yep, it could only happen against the Lions.
He died of the Chi-com virus. However, like most all the other deaths from the Chi-com virus, he had a prior condition, which was Alzheimers.
Lions fans remember...
RIP
COVID is a horrible disease too. It destroys common sense, rights and our nations wealth.
Nowadays, the left has hijacked Christian charity. Thus, that usually means dumbing down the disabled and putting them in the slow lane. How tragic.
I remember as a kid, seeing The Kick and him playing, thinking past his disabilities. Yes, he had a half a foot and no hand, but he kicked it 64-yards, man!!
Let us remember Him for what he was - a good man who embodied what greatness can be unleashed when society doesn't put up mental roadblocks in the minds of "normals," of what those who differ from us can do. RIP.
Rest in peace, Tom.
+1
Seems like every older famous person who dies lately dies from coronavirus complications?
Don't forget where it came from...as did the Bubonic Plague. That plague, the BLACK DEATH, killed 27 million Europeans in the 13th and 14th centuries. It also came from China.
Do you think that the Chinese will change because of THIS disease [COVID-19] that they foisted on the world?
I don't.
Prayers to his family... RIP Tom... The Saints had great players, Archie Manning and Tom Dempsey... but never could win...
I remember watching that game. He was quite the inspiration. May he RIP.
Thanks for your thoughtful and true words.
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