Tom Dempsey, former Comet and NFL kicker, dies of coronavirus

Former Comet Tom Dempsey, 73, has died due to coronavirus complications.

He was born in Milwaukee and died in his retirement home in Louisiana, in addition to at least 15 other residents at the home.

He was also diagnosed with dementia due to damage to the brain.

Dempsey was a former San Dieguito High School and Palomar College graduate. He played football and track and field at Palomar, and was introduced into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dempsey was born with no fingers on his right hand and no toes on his right foot, which was his kicking foot. This lead to him having to wear a flat shoe when kicking.

During his NFL tenure he played for the Rams, Oilers, Saints, Eagles, and Bills.

In 1970, he kicked a record 63-yard field goal to give the New Orleans Saints the win over the Detroit Lions.

In 1983, he was inducted into the American Football Association’s Semi-Pro Hall of Fame.

In 2013, the record was broken by the Denver Broncos Matt Prater who kicked a 64-yard kick in Denver.

Although he was at a disability, Dempsey etched himself into the record books of the NFL and was a legend of the game for it. He will be missed but never forgotten.