Tom Dempsey’s Boot

The boot of Tom Dempsey changed football. In more than one way. Hear how a boot and a big boy named Tom changed the record books, the rulebooks, and the playbooks of the NFL in this episode of How Gear Changed the Game.

You can find this boot in the pro football hall of fame and boy is it a sight to behold. Imagine if a golf driver was made of plastic and lace and then put into a microwave for a minute. Following in the footsteps of Ben Agajanian, another toeless kicker who championed the specialty kicker position, Dempsey entered the league in 1968. He was born without toes but was always encouraged to play sports, and loved football. Not just kicking! His large frame made tackling a thing of joy for Tom. But he could crush the football. That’s what gained him the nickname “Tom the Bomb”. His strange boot shape got him a little bit of attention, but he caught the spotlight of the entire NFL when his record-breaking field goal helped the New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions. Then came the controversy….and a whole lot of changes. Download and subscribe now!