Top 10 Dallas Cowboys Of All Time
The Dallas Cowboys are arguably the greatest franchise to ever set foot on a football field. While the Packers may boast more NFL championships and the Steelers more Super Bowls, the Cowboys are America’s Team. They have managed to be competitive in every single era and have several Super Bowl wins as well. The Dallas Cowboys have had some incredible teams with some very impressive players. Here are some of the greatest players to ever put on a Cowboys uniform.
1) Roger Staubach (QB, 1969-1979)
His legacy has lived on well past his time on the field. Roger Staubach has remained the face and embodiment of the Cowboys for the last 40-plus years. As a 10th-round draft pick in the 1965 draft, Staubach may be the smartest draft pick in franchise history. He led the Cowboys to four Super Bowls, claiming victory in two of them, and defined leadership for the organization that became “America’s Team.”
2) Emmitt Smith (RB, 1990-2002)
Smith was the anchor for the Cowboys during their three Super Bowl wins in four years in the 1990s. Although he was considered to be too small and too slow, Emmitt Smith retired as one of the most accomplished runners in league history. He was a regular-season and Super Bowl MVP and went on to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. He even holds the record for most postseason rushing yards as well.
3) Bob Lilly (DT, 1961-1974)
Bob Lilly, or “Mr. Cowboy”, was the first player drafted by the franchise in 1961 and became the foundation of Tom Landry’s “Doomsday Defense,” locking down at the defensive tackle for 14 years. Towards the end of his career, Lilly and the Cowboys reached two Super Bowls, winning one of them. Bob Lilly was known for his non-traditional pre-snap stance, in which he lined up with both hands on the ground.
4) Troy Aikman (QB, 1989-2000)
Troy Aikman was the quarterback throughout the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s, although he does not remember playing in Super Bowl XXVIII. On top of the Super Bowl rings, Aikman was voted into six straight Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
5) Tony Dorsett (RB, 1977-1987)
Dorsett ran his way into four Pro Bowls and an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 12,739 yards during his professional career. Tony Dorsett us a winner in every sense of the word: he is the only football player to win the college championship (NCAA title at Pittsburgh) and pro championship (Super Bowl XII) in back-to-back years.
6) Michael Irvin (WR, 1988-1999)
Michael Irvin talked as good a game as he played. His physical play actually forced the NFL to adjust the rulebook to prevent physical wide receivers from pushing off helpless cornerbacks. Irvin was voted into five-straight Pro Bowls and the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well. He tallied up a total of 11,904 receiving yards throughout his career and was was a member of the Cowboys trio of Super Bowl triumphs.
7) Larry Allen (OG, 1994-2005)
Larry Allen (along with number 8 on the list, Rayfield Wright) was one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time. Allen was the rock that protected Aikman and blocked for smith, allowing the explosive offense to fire on all cylinders. He was asked to slide all over the line, however, guard is the position for which he will be remembered most. Allen may have been the strongest man in NFL history as well: he recorded a bench press of a whopping 692 pounds.
8) Rayfield Wright (OT, 1967-1979)
Rayfield Wright played all over the field, including tight end, defensive end, and tackle. In addition to his six straight Pro Bowls, Wright played a vital role during the Cowboy’s two Super Bowl titles. He protected Staubach and opened up holes for Dorsett against some of the best defenses in NFL history, such as the Steel Curtain, the Purple People Eaters, and the Orange Crush.
9) Randy White (DT, 1975-1988)
White played on the Dallas Cowboys’ Doomsday defense that led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl XII victory. He was MVP in the Super Bowl win over Denver in the 1977-78 season. Randy White was a member of nine straight Pro Bowls and was elected into the Hall of Fame. White was incredibly strong for his size and extremely quick for his position.
10) Mel Renfro (DB, 1964-1977)
Renfro’s career included 52 interceptions and 10 straight Pro Bowl visits. He was later elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played on four Cowboy Super Bowl teams (winning two), including the last game he ever played against Denver in Super Bowl XII.
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