on this day ... in 1970: Dempsey's record kick.

On this day, November 8 1970, New Orleans
Saints kicker Tom Dempsey kicked a 63 yard
field goal with 2 seconds left on the clock that
gave the Saints a 19-17 victory over the Detr-
oit Lions. The field goal is, to this day, the lon-
gest in NFL history. Dempsey, who was born
without toes on his right foot, had a special cu-
stom fit boot with a flattened and enlarged toe
surface.

Check out the 30 second video of Dempsey's game winning kick.

on this day ... in 1961: Hit The Road Jack

Between October 9th and October 22nd of 1961 Ray Charles was at number one
on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Hit The Road Jack".



Few know that the song was written and recorded by Louisiana born Percy Mayfield
in 1960 as an a capella demo. The original recording of that demo can be heard here:

Since the Ray Charles version, the song has been covered by many artists including
The Animals, Big Youth, Buster Pointdexter and French artist Richard Anthony.
A brilliant "answer song" called "Come On Back Jack" was recorded by Nina Simone
for the Colpix Label. Check her version out: