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
Marques Colston played WR at Hofstra from 2001-’05.
Over his college career he appeared in 40 games, catching 182 passes for a career school-record 2,834 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Selected in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.
He immediately formed a bond with QB Drew Brees scoring a TD in his first game.
Caught a career high 86 yard TD against the Carolina Panthers.
Finished rookie season with 70 receptions for 1,038 yards and 8 TDs.
Marques’ 2007 season was his best, posting career highs in catches (98), yards (1,202) and TDs (11).
In his first 7 seasons, Colston went over 1,000 yards 6 times, and over 900 in 8 of 9 seasons.
With injuries and the emergence of young talent, Marques was released after the 2015 season.
At the time of his release, he held numerous Saints’ career and single game receiving records.
He’s invested into Spring Football numerous times first with the Harrisburg Stampede of the PIFL (2012-’14).
Then from 2015-’19 he was a minority owner of the AFL Philadelphia Soul.
Colston continued to invest in the AFL with the Albany Empire (2018-’19), and the Atlantic City Blackjacks (2019).
ACCOLADES:
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2021
Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
NOTES:
The market seems to be in a downturn, and now some decent names are becoming reasonably priced for sets I like. I have been looking for something that had to do with Colston for a long time, so I snatched this up when the seller made me an offer on one of my favorite 2009 sets.
You don’t hear much about Hofstra as a football team, and that’s because in 2009, the school sadly discontinued its football program. -Colston has the dubious honor of being the last player drafted out of that school.
Billy Kilmer played at UCLA from 1958-’60 where he played RB and QB.
In 1960, he led the conference with 163 rushes for 803 yards and 8 TDs, while also throwing for 1086 yards and 8 TDs.
Billy finished his college career with 307 carries for 1386 yards and 12 TDs, to go along with 1881 yards passing on 109/255 passes, and 15 TDs to 13 interceptions.
In 1961, Billy was the 11th selection of the San Fransisco 49ers, and a 5th round pick of the Chargers- but opted to sign with SF.
He’d run for 509 yards and 10 TDs his rookie year.
After a leg injury ended his 1962 season, and completely wiped his 1963 campaign, he returned to the ‘9ers in 1964.
Saw no action in 1965- and was involved in a salary dispute the following year, leading to him being exposed in the NFL Expansion Draft.
Selected by the New Orleans Saints in 1967.
Played 4 seasons for the Saints, posting an 11-28 record.
Threw for 20 TDs (17 INT) and a career high 2,532 yards in 1969.
Traded to Washington Redskins in 1970.
Fought with Sonny Jurgensen over the starting role for throughout his Redskin career.
He’d lead the NFL in TDs with 19, and 8.4 yards per completion in 1972.
In 1974, rookie Joe Theismann was added to the mix and battled Billy for the starting role.
Threw a 96 yard TD and a career high 25 TDs in 1975.
Retired after the 1978 season, having played 18 seasons and in 170 games at the grand old age of 38.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
80 Greatest Redskins of All Time
Pro Bowl 1972
Comeback Player of the Year 1976
NOTES:
I had gotten Billy on his Topps 1970 and his Upper Deck Legends 1997 cards and then realized that he appeared in the Legends Memorable Moments subset alongside Bob Lilly. Unwilling to pay the outrageous price for the card I waited this one out until I was able to get it for just a dollar or two and sent this along with the other Topps entries out to him. A consistent and kind signer, he returned both groups in just 9 days flat.
Billy has always battled adversity in his life, whether from alcohol, where he got the nickname Ol Whiskey from his time in New Orleans, or a devastating leg injury he suffered early in his career in San Fransisco.
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
2984
1585
20495
53.1
152
146
71.6
96t
RUSH
yds
avg
TD
lg
362
1509
4.2
21
35
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
