Pete Holohan switched from QB to TE at Notre Dame playing there from 1977-’81.
In 32 contests, Pete caught 63 passes for 983 yards and 2 TDs.
7th round choice of the San Diego Chargers.
For much of his career in the Air Coryell offense, Holohan played second fiddle to AP TE Kellen Winslow.
Although he started very few games, in 1984, Holohan caught a 54 passes for a career high 734 yards and a TD.
Joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1988, where he caught passes from ascending QB Jim Everett.
The three years spent with the Rams would be the 3 most consecutive productive seasons of Holohan’s career.
Caught a career high 59 passes in ’88 for 640 yards and 3 TDs.
Then another 510 yards on 51 receptions (2 TDs) in 1989.
After the 1990 season, in which Pete caught 49 passes for 475 yards and 2 TDs, he signed with the Chiefs.
Caught 13 passes for 113 yards and 2 TDs for KC.
Played one final season in Cleveland in 1992 catching 20 passes for 174 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I was a big LA Rams fan back in the 80s and I loved the Ernie Zampese days with Jim Everett at the helm. It seemed like they were the only ones who could challenge the 49ers domination. Anyway, I played fantasy football as a kid even back then with newspapers and magazines- and I even knew back then Pete was a solid but vastly underrated TE.
I’ve been trying to find Pete for years, but trusting in the fact I haven’t seen him sign TTM, I jumped at this Fleer 90 to add to the collection. He’s got quite a few nice cards, but many of them are very expensive autographed so I consider myself very lucky.
Chipping away here at my set needs for Greg Bell, I’d still try to nab him on a few more cards if he popped up for a paid signing. Since I was able to get him on both of these cards at a real nice price via eBay, I jumped at it since he doesn’t sign through the mail often- if at all.
Undrafted he’d sign with the Chargers in 1968 but not make the squad.
In 1969 Dempsey joined the Saints, where he’s probably most favorably remembered for hitting an NFL record 63 yard field goal.
During his first season in New Orleans he led the league with 41 field goal attempts and a 55 yard long.
In both ’70 and ’71 he’d also have 63 and 54 yard field goals that’d lead the league.
Before the 1971 season, Dempsey signed with the Eagles, playing with the team through the ’74 season.
The Rams would sign Tom in 1975, where he’d hit a career high 80.8% field goals.
He’d play for the Oilers in 1976 for 5 contests, before heading over to Buffalo to close out his career.
Since retirement, Tom has battled much adversity.
In 2005, he was flooded out by Hurricane Katrina.
Then in 2013 he revealed that he was battling dementia.
ACCOLADES:
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
Pro Bowl 1969
All Pro 1969
George Halas Award 1971
Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame
NOTES:
The NFL actively updated rules while and after Tom played. They felt because he had a flat front to his shoes (due to a birth defect) that he was able to hit longer field goals than other players. His 63 yard field goal record stood for over 40 years- before the NFL loosened kicking rules for footballs in the 2020’s.
EPITAPH:
4/4/20- After being diagnosed with COVID late in March, Tom passed away a few days later, during the early days of the pandemic at the age of 73
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
