If you’re an old time football fan you may know the great story of a man who became successful in spite of his incredible disability.

Tom Dempsey was born with no right hand and with only half a right foot. But that didn’t stop the young athlete from playing football in junior college. And the rest, as they say, is history. Dempsey got so good as a place kicker that the New Orleans Saints signed him.

Then, that special moment in time called out the name Tom Dempsey. The Saints were trailing Detroit 17-16 with two seconds to go on Detroit’s forty-five-yard line. The Saints’ coach turned to Dempsey and said, “Okay, Tom, go out and give it your best shot!” When the holder set the ball down, it was exactly sixty-three yards from the uprights… an almost unheard of request from a kicker.

Again, the rest is history. Tom broke the NFL field goal record by seven yards. Later he told Newsweek magazine, “I couldn’t follow the ball that far. But I saw the official’s arms go up and I can’t describe how great I felt.”

Wow! Helen Keller put it best when she said; I thank God for my handicaps. For through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.  

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