Tom Dempsey is widely recognized for an extraordinary moment in NFL history: a 63-yard field goal kicked as time expired on November 8, 1970. This monumental kick secured a 19–17 victory for the New Orleans Saints over the Detroit Lions at Tulane Stadium. The record stood for an impressive 43 years, becoming a benchmark for kickers across the league. Dempsey's achievement was not just about the distance; it also sparked discussions about fairness
and ultimately led to significant rule changes in professional football.
The Historic 63-Yard Field Goal
The legendary kick occurred in 1970, a time when NFL goal posts were positioned on the goal lines, rather than at the back of the end zones as they are today. This placement effectively reduced the required kicking distance by ten yards compared to modern rules. With the game on the line, holder Joe Scarpati spotted the ball at the Saints' own 37-yard line. Jackie Burkett delivered a good snap, and Dempsey's powerful kick sailed through the uprights, just clearing the crossbar. This dramatic win was one of only two for the Saints during that entire season, making the moment even more memorable.
Dempsey's 63-yard field goal shattered Bert Rechichar's previous NFL record for the longest field goal by a remarkable seven yards. For decades, it remained the standard. The record was eventually tied three times: first by Jason Elam with the Denver Broncos in 1998, then by Sebastian Janikowski with the Oakland Raiders in 2011, and finally by David Akers with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. However, it was not until December 8, 2013, that Matt Prater finally broke the record with a 64-yard field goal.
The "Tom Dempsey Rule" and Equipment Controversy
Born without toes on his right foot and without fingers on his right hand, Tom Dempsey wore a specially designed shoe for kicking. This custom-made shoe featured a flattened and enlarged toe surface, which became a point of contention. The $200 shoe, equivalent to about $1,658 in 2025, led to debates about whether it provided an unfair advantage. When questioned by reporters about the fairness of his equipment, Dempsey famously retorted, "Unfair, eh? How 'bout you try kickin' a 63-yard field goal to win it with 2 seconds left an' yer wearin' a square shoe, oh yeah, and no toes either."
Despite the controversy, an analysis by ESPN Sport Science later concluded that Dempsey's modified shoe did not, in fact, give him an advantage. They suggested that a normal shoe with a smaller contact area might even reduce, rather than increase, the margin for error. Nevertheless, the discussions surrounding his equipment prompted the NFL to implement a rule change in 1977, informally known as the "Tom Dempsey Rule." This rule stipulated that "any shoe that is worn by a player with an artificial limb on his kicking leg must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe."
Lasting Impact on NFL Rules and Kicking Strategy
Beyond the specific rule regarding special shoes, Dempsey's record-setting kick also influenced broader NFL regulations concerning field goals. In the years following his achievement, the league introduced two significant rule changes aimed at discouraging further long field goal attempts. The first change came in 1974, when the goal posts were moved from the goal line to the back of the end zone. This adjustment effectively added ten yards to the required kicking distance for any field goal attempt.
Additionally, the 1974 rule change stipulated that if a kick was missed, the ball would be awarded to the defense at the spot from where it was hiked. This was later modified in 1994 to award the ball at the spot of the kick. These rule modifications, combined with the "Tom Dempsey Rule," underscore the profound and lasting impact that one extraordinary kick and its unique circumstances had on the evolution of professional football's regulations and strategic considerations for kickers.
