"The Kick" I & II: Tom Dempsey on Garrett Hartley

by PilneyPark on Jan 31, 2010 4:16 PM CST

When Garrett Hartley kicked the field goal which sealed our first Superbowl appearance, I'm sure many old-time fans like me wondered if this would now become know as "The Kick". For you younger/newer fans, "The Kick" had always before referred to Tom Dempsey's 1970 record-setting, game-winning, 63-yard field goal against the Lions to secure one of only two wins that season. I, like many, remember exactly where I was for that moment.

Well, it turns out there IS a connection between the two kicks.

As Garrett Hartley lined up for a 40-yard field-goal attempt in overtime against the Vikings, Dempsey pleaded, “Don’t overkick it!” His thoughts drifted to an earlier home game, in the penultimate week of the regular season, when Hartley missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds of regulation in a game the Saints lost in overtime.

The next week, Dempsey delivered a message to Hartley through John Carney, a kicking consultant for the Saints. Dempsey advised Hartley not to try to overpower the ball because the leg swing, like a golf swing, is most effective when it is rhythmic and unrushed. “The kid has a strong leg,” Dempsey said he told Carney. “He doesn’t need to overkick it.”

On Sunday, as soon as the ball left Hartley’s foot, Dempsey said he turned to his wife and exclaimed, “It’s good!”

By KAREN CROUSE - The New York Times

The entire article is great. Thinking about both of these kicks at the same time, makes me feel extra warm and fuzzy all over. Enjoy.

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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+1,000,000

Rec’d. GREAT article…..I wasn’t old enough to remember Tom’s kick, but I can only imagine the euphoria then. WHO DAT

DON'T STOP 'TIL WE REACH THE TOP!!!!!!!!
Another SAINTS fan in Panther country!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!

by SAINTSfaninNC on Jan 31, 2010 4:30 PM CST reply actions

Nice article!

"Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints are on their way to the Superbowl!!" Hear the call

by Dan Kelly on Jan 31, 2010 4:31 PM CST reply actions

I wonder if they have met...........I watched that game and

you would have thought we had won the Super Bowl. Same effects as last weeks kick. People went nuts, hugging and partying. Won only two games that year but that was BIG.

My Magnificent Black and Goald Warriors

by saint-sly on Jan 31, 2010 5:44 PM CST reply actions

With all due respect to Tom Dempsey (who is a friend of my brother) I will now call Garrett's kick ~ THE KICK!

Dempseys kick was mind boggling not only because it was the longest in NFL history but, well, jeeeeeez – he played for the Saints! Years later his kick would be tied. NOT beaten but tied.

Garrett’s kick, on the other hand, will never be tied because it is the kick that sent the New Orleans Saints to their first Superbowl appearance. That can never, ever be tied!

So, Mr. Dempsey, thanks a million for the memory of your kick. Now, please, enjoy The Kick with your fellow Saints Fans.

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.

by Just 'Nother Day on Jan 31, 2010 11:35 PM CST reply actions

I was at the game when Dempsey made his kick.

I was there with my Dad. As the end of the game was nearing and it appeared the Saints were going to lose yet another game, my dad wanted to leave early “to beat the traffic”. Only because I was in for the weekend from college and didn’t have the opportunity to go to many games anymore, I insisted we stay until the end.

For the rest of my Dad’s life, whenever the subject came up, I enjoyed reminding him that had it not been for me, he would have missed witnessing Saints and NFL history.

by Drew-Dat on Feb 1, 2010 1:23 AM CST reply actions