Tom Dempsey, the NFL kicker who held the record for longest made field goal for 43 years, has contracted the coronavirus, longtime league executive Joe Browne said on Twitter.
Browne asked followers to “try to save” a prayer for the 73-year-old Dempsey, who he said was in a nursing home in New Orleans.
New Orleans has become one of the more recent U.S. hot spots for COVID-19. Louisiana has reported 4,025 confirmed cases of the virus and 185 total deaths as of Monday.
Dempsey spent the first two seasons of his 11-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, and in 1970 set a record by making a game-winning 63-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions. Dempsey was famous for wearing a modified shoe because he was born without toes on his right foot.
In 2013, Dempsey said he is suffering from dementia.
Not sure how many prayers u have left but…pls try to save one for @saints legendary K Tom Dempsey (he of then-record 63 yd FG fame) who is in NO nursing home w/COVID-19. @NFLAlumni
— Joe Browne (@JBeonTheHill) March 30, 2020
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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