Dallas Cowboys Legends

A look at the legendary stars to play for the Dallas Cowboys.

Jason Witten (Tight End)

One of the toughest players to step foot on the field for the Dallas Cowboys, Jason Witten cements himself in the Cowboys list of all-time legends. He was a tight end who was hard as nails, and his grit was something to be admired.

An industrious 15-season career was testament to his determination and unwavering pride to play till his body could no longer facilitate the blows. Currently, Witten holds the franchise record for most receptions for any position. During his final season as a Cowboy, he surpassed Michael Irvin’s record in all-time yardage.

Being a third-round selection, what to expect from Witten was unknown. However, by the end of his final season he had secured a space with Cowboys legends.

Witten put up mouthwatering numbers, catching 1,152 total passes – the fourth most in NFL history – for a staggering 12,488 yards, along with 68 touchdowns. Awarded with a pair of All-Pro selections, Witten’s consistent talent saw him appear in a staggering 11 Pro Bowls.

Mel Renfro (Running Back/Safety/Cornerback)

Prior to entering the NFL and going on to be a second-round draft pick in 1964, Renfrow was apart of the Oregon track team. Sporting exceptional athletic ability, he entered the NFL draft initially as a running back. Transitioning to a safety and later a cornerback, his adaptability set himself on a path to become a Cowboys legend.

Throughout his 14 years as a safety/cornerback, Renfrow set a franchise record for career interceptions. Snatching 52 passes out of the air and establishing himself as a visual deterrent for any quarterback when throwing down field.

His running back skill set was utilised by the Cowboys special teams, as he was the designated kick returner. The Texas talent set a then-Dallas Cowboys kick return record of 2,246. Post-retirement, Renfrow was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the 1996 class.

Tony Dorsett (Running Back):

An instant impact was made by Dorsett during his rookie season as the Dallas Cowboys starting running back. The NFL rookie out of Pittsburgh navigated through the defences superbly and scampered for an impressive 1,007 yards. B

reaching the 1,000 yards for a rookie running back is a precious achievement and foreshadowed events to come. Alongside the 1000-yard season, Dorsett produced a career high 12 touchdowns.

Dorsett was an embodiment of consistency and reliability throughout his strong career, producing eight 1,000-yard seasons.

More importantly, the five-foot-eleven running back was a hybrid talent, as he caught 3,432 receiving yards. If you stopped him in the run game he could kill you in the air, and vice versa. Included in four Pro Bowls throughout his fantastic career, an induction into the 1994 Hall of Fame was deserved.

Michael Irvin (Wide Receiver)

Adopting the nickname ‘The Playmaker’ from the Cowboys faithful and the NFL media, there are good reasons for it.

Being a first-round pick in the 1988 NFL Draft, Irwin made sure to live up to coaches and fans’ expectations, and no doubt exceeded them. Franchise records came in abundance for Irwin as he challenged himself to set new ones.

The 2007 Hall of Fame inductee caught 750 passes for 11,904 yards – smashing the records of receptions and receiving yards respectively. A tally of 65 touchdowns and five Pro Bowl appearances certainly makes him legendary material.

Best of all, Irwin’s ability of making big plays was the reason he was a huge offensive asset for the Cowboys on their journey to winning three Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XXVII, Irwin caught two scores from legendary quarterback Troy Aikman, living up to his infamous nickname.

Troy Aikman (Quarterback)

Aikman will forever be known as one of the greatest quarterbacks to throw on the Cowboys Jersey. The 1989 NFL Draft saw Troy Aikman selected by the Cowboys as the number one pick and would go on to spend all 12 seasons in Dallas.

During one of the most brutal eras of football, Aikman superbly navigated the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles. Overseeing the most decorated and glorious period the franchise has ever seen.

Aikman holds many franchise records such as most completions and career wins while playing for the Lone Star State. Only second to future quarterback Tony Romo in the completion yards and touchdowns thrown categories. A prolific career earned the Cowboys legend a induction into the 2006 Hall of Fame class.

Larry Allen (Guard)

The position of guard is one of the most underappreciated positions in all of football. However, it is the upmost credit to Allen that his greatness in this position forced people to recognise his ability. Many who have played the sport have described Allen as one of the most feared guards in all the NFL.

The 2013 Hall of Famer secured numerous personal accolades, with his first being his addition to the All-Rookie team in 1994.

Dominating in his position, Allen’s greatness was recognised in the form of landing six All-Pro First-Team appearances and being voted for 11 Pro Bowls with the Cowboys. The home-grown Californian star was part of the reason why Emmitt Smith and Moose Johnston were able to put up the numbers they did.

Randy White (Defensive Lineman)

A rookie product out of Maryland, with a terrific college career under his belt, the Dallas Cowboys saw the legendary potential in White. Therefore, they secured his services for an inevitable 14 years after using the No. 2 overall pick on him. White would reward the Cowboys with their faith they instilled within him as he earned seven First-Team All-Pro selections.

A Super Bowl winner in 1977, White shared the spoils of the MVP award alongside Harvey Martin. According to Pro Football Hall of Fame records, White amassed 1,104 tackles and a huge 111 sacks throughout his Dallas career. Nicknamed ‘The Manster’ during his exceptional college and pro-football career.

Bob Lily (Defensive Tackle)

What makes Bob Lily so unique, besides his exceptional talent on defence, he was the first ever draft pick in the Cowboys franchise history – you could not have asked for a more complimentary pick.

Lily was a thief of the football and recovered numerous fumbles, stealing the ball 18 times off the opposition over 196 games. Not only that, he was also able to convert the fumbles into points as he scored four touchdowns.

Performing excellently for the Cowboys over his career from 1961-1974. The born Texan helped the Cowboys to winning Super Bowl VI, while being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. Finishing his career with 11 Pro Bowl appearances and seven First-Team All-Pro selections.

Emmitt Smith (Running Back)

Emmitt Smith forever be known as the rushing king for the Dallas Cowboys, as not a single player since his retirement in 2004 has come close to breaking his franchise records.

In 1995, smith rushed for 1,773 yards and 25 touchdowns. DeMarco Murray broke the single season rushing yards record in 2014, but no player has had a sniff of breaking the single season touchdown record. In the 16 highest ever rushing yard seasons by Cowboys players, Smith lays claim to nine of those.

Additionally, the 1990 round-one draft pick owns the all-time record for most rushing yards in a single season (18,355) after powering through Walter Payton’s original record. The nimble running back was a member of the Dallas dynasty who won three Super Bowls in three out of four seasons. Proudly in 2010, Smith was inducted as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Roger Staubach (Quarterback)

The most inspirational Cowboys legend on the page, Roger Staubach served in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969 – a highly decorated military professional.

After departing from the Navy just two years later, Staubach was the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. The future Hall of Famer made an exceptional start to life as the voice in the huddle, as they won all 10 of their opening games.

‘Captain Comeback’, as he was nicknamed, won the Super Bowl in 1971. A threat through the air and with his feet, throwing for then-franchise records of 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns.

Staubach rushed for 2,264 yards and reached the end zone 20 times, which remains the franchise record for a quarterback in the modern-day. Before retirement, the Ohio born quarterback was called up for six Pro Bowls – before becoming a Hall of Famer in 1985.