​Our countdown to the New Orleans Saints’ season opener reaches Day 63, which makes Tom Dempsey’s legendary 63-yard field goal an obvious pick for the Saints Play of the Day. It’s fitting that the Saints begin their 2026 campaign against the same franchise Dempsey faced when he etched his name into NFL lore. A few years back, the Saints shared a memorable video feature that captured the drama surrounding that moment, featuring those who witnessed it firsthand. You can watch it right here.
Every Saints fan who inherited the team from previous generations knows the story. Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot and kicked with a unique box-toe boot, a design the NFL would later ban. With the game on the line and only seconds remaining in 1970, Dempsey delivered a 63-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions, setting a new NFL record as the stadium erupted.
Dempsey’s mark stood for 43 years and helped spur a series of rule changes. It wasn’t until Matt Prater nailed a 64-yard boot at altitude for the Denver Broncos that the record finally fell. In 2021, Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens surpassed it with a 66-yard field goal, and in 2025 Cam Little connected on a 68-yard winner for the Jacksonville Jaguars, extending the record even further.
More than the record, Dempsey’s kick gave Saints fans a reason to celebrate during a rough era for the franchise. The team endured a challenging stretch in 1970 and much of the decade, with few Pro Bowlers or standout moments to buoy spirits. That unforgettable kick endured as a symbol of resilience and sparked pride that outlasted the era’s hardships. Though brighter days eventually arrived, the memory of Dempsey’s field goal remains a touchstone of Saints history.
This June 17, 2026, photo from Metairie, Louisiana, captures Tyler Shough participating in drills during mandatory minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. It marks another chapter in the Saints’ ongoing journey as they prepare for the new season. (Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
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