Joe Scarpati
Joseph Henry Scarpati, Jr. is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints. He was the holder for Tom Dempsey's record breaking 63-yard field goal on November 8, 1970.
Raised in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Scarpati attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
Scarpati played halfback in college football at North Carolina State University, earning second team All-ACC for football and Academic All-ACC honors in 1962 and 1963. He was selected in the 13th round of the 1964 AFL Draft by the Boston Patriots. After a knee operation, playing free safety in 1969, he had 4 interceptions and one touchdown. A few weeks after Dempsey's record-setting kick, Scarpati retired from professional football.
