A Dallas Cowboys Legend

A Dallas Cowboys Legend – Roger Staubach

By JWL

The Dallas Cowboys, of the NFL are “America’s Team”. Their consistent high performance, over a span of more than 30 years, has made the team a fan favorite not only in the state of Texas and the United States but globally, as well. Along with their great success on the field, the Dallas Cowboys are just as successful off the field and are considered one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. It is the play on the field, and the individuals who have contributed to that play, that is at the heart of the Cowboys great success.

The NFL Dallas Cowboys are an exceptional team with a formidable past. Endless players have donned the single star, blue and white jerseys of the Dallas Cowboys and have left their mark on the team, the fans, the NFL, the state, the country and far beyond. The team has witnessed a number of all-stars whose skill and achievements have lead to the legend of the Dallas Cowboys history, legends such as Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman. Thanks to these players and countless others over the years, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the most successful teams in the history of the NFL and hold numerous league records. They hold the league record for most consecutive winning seasons – 20 in all – from 1966 to 1985, as well as the record for most seasons with at least 10 wins (24). As well, they have been Super Bowl Champions five times a record they share with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.The list of team records which are part of the Dallas Cowboys history goes on and on.

The Cowboys were particularly successful during the 30 year span from 1966 to 1996 during which time they qualified for the playoffs 24 times, played in 14 NFC Championship Games won 19 division titles, and took to the field for 8 Super Bowls.

Dallas Cowboy quarterback, the legendary Roger Staubach, contributed greatly to this success when he assumed the full-time quarter-backing duties in the eighth week of the 1971 NFL season. Staubach was known as "Roger The Dodger" for his scrambling abilities, and as "Captain Comeback" for his many fourth quarter heroics. He was one of the most exciting NFL players of the 1970s as he directed his team to many an improbable victory at Texas Stadium and on the road. Staubach led his team to twenty-three come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter, with 17 of these coming in the last two minutes.

With Staubach at the helm, the Dallas Cowboys became Super Bowl Champions for the first time and he was named most valuable player of Super Bowl VI. Staubach, who played with the Cowboys until 1979, was a 6-time Pro-Bowler and led the Cowboys to their second Super Bowl victory in 1977. Staubach also led the Cowboys to Super Bowl appearances in Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII where they lost both times to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Roger Staubach is perhaps most famous for bringing the "Hail Mary pass" into the world of football nomenclature. In a 1975 playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, with just seconds left on the clock and the Cowboys trailing 14-10, Staubach executed a 50-yard pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson, who caught the pass for a touchdown and a 17-14 victory. After the game, Staubach quipped he prayed a "Hail Mary" before throwing the pass and thus a piece of history was born.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach retired from football in 1979, at the time the highest rated passer ever, and was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 1985 NFL season. The NFL Dallas Cowboys have been an exceptional team through the years thanks to their many outstanding all-stars. Roger Staubach is one such all-star, and a legend of Dallas Cowboys history.