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
Daryl Lamonica was the Notre Dame Irish Quarterback from 1960-’62.
He completed 99 of 211 passes for 1363 yards and 8 TDs, while rushing for 353 yards on 144 carries, scoring 10 rushing TDs.
Chose by both the Bills and Packers in the respective AFL and NFL Drafts in 1963.
Played for the Bills from 1963-’66 primarily backing up Jack Kemp.
Traded to the Oakland Raiders in a player deal in 1967.
Fit perfectly in the Raiders long bomb game, leading the Raiders immediately to Super Bowl II.
Threw for 3,228 yards and 30 TDs in first season with Oakland.
In ’68 completed 206 of 416 passes for 3,245 yards and 25 TDs.
Threw for 401 yards in the AFL Championship game but ultimately lost to the New York Jets.
Completed 221 of 426 passes for 3,302 yards and 34 TDs- all career highs in 1969.
Set NFL record with 6 TDs in first half of game that season.
Again lost in championship game, this time to the Chiefs.
Threw for 2,516 yards in ’70, along with 22 TDs on 179 of 356 passes.
On the backside of his career, Lamonica still managed to throw for 16 and 18 TDs respectively in 1971 and ’72.
Entering the 1973 season, he’d be relegated to back up duty for the final two years of his career in Oakland, with the emergency of Kenny Stabler.
Still feeling that he could play, Daryl jumped ship to the WFL.
He’d play for the Sothern California Sun, but the league folded by October of that year.
An avid outdoorsman, Lamonica loved fishing and spent a lot of his free time indulging in his hobby.
Over his career Lamonica posted an amazing starting record of 66-16-6.
ACCOLADES:
MVP East-West Shrine Game 1962
AFL MVP 1967, ’69
First Team All-AFL 1967, ’69
Pro Bowl 1970, ’72
AFL Championship MVP 1967
AFL Player of the Year 1967, ’69
NOTES:
I’d been tracking Lamonica’s autograph for a while and saw a spike up to around 40 bucks after he passed. That was way too rich for my blood. I waited patiently and the right deal popped up.
Lamonica is another player from the days of the AFL who just doesn’t get enough respect and should be in the HoF. Daryl at one point led professional football with 145 touchdown passes from 1967-’72.
EPITAPH:
April 21, 2022- Daryl Lamonica died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes, at the age of 80, while at his home in Fresno, Ca.
Reggie McKenzie played G at Michigan from 1968-’71.
He earned multiple accolades over his college career including earning All-Big 10 Honors and Consensus (1970,’71), All American Honors (1971).
Selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
A nasty pulling guard with outstanding run blocking skills, McKenzie cleared the way for OJ Simpson’s historical 2,000 yard rushing season.
Known as the leader of the offensive line- that was called ‘The Electric Company.’
Started every game from 1972 to 1980 at LG,
A knee injury during week 6 of 1981 sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Played a final season in Buffalo in 1982 before hopping over to Seattle in 1983.
Started every game for Seattle in 1983 before a nagging shoulder injury caught up with him during the ’84 season.
After retiring Reggie became a philanthropist and businessman.
ACCOLADES:
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame 1994
Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame 2016
College Football Hall of Fame 2002
University of Michigan Hall of Honor 2004
NOTES:
I guess the Pro Football Hall of Fame which routinely stiffs offensive linemen felt that Joe DeLamielleure was enough to induct into the hall from the Bills line. Reggie to me not being in the hall is a great injustice.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
