Legendary Running Back Tony Dorsett

By Rick Bedard

A fan favorite franchise, the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League have been a success on the field playing at a consistently high level since joining the league as an expansion team in 1960. In addition to their great success on the field, “America’s Team” has been just as successful off the field and is considered one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. At the heart of the Cowboys great success are the individuals who have contributed to the play. Throughout the life of its franchise, the Dallas Cowboys have had a number of all-stars whose skills and achievements have contributed to Dallas Cowboys history. Endless players have donned the single star and blue and white jerseys of the Dallas Cowboys and taken to the field at Texas Stadium. In the process some of them, such as Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith have become legends of the game.

One of the most successful teams in the history of the National Football League, the Dallas Cowboys hold numerous league records, thanks to these players and countless others over the years. The Cowboys 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). Additionally, they have been Superbowl Champions five times a record they share with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The list of team records, a part of Dallas Cowboys history, goes on and on. A formidable team with an exceptional past, Cowboys football was particularly successful during the 30 year span from 1966 to 1996 during which time the team 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, becoming Super Bowl Champions five times.

Running back Tony Dorsett was one player who contributed greatly to Dallas Cowboys football success and in so doing became a Dallas Cowboys legend. Born in 1954 in Rochester, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Dorsett grew up in Hopewell Township, PA where he was a football star at Hopewell High School. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he set NCAA college records and helped lead his team to a national title in 1976. He was also awarded the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award as well as being a four-time All-American. Dorsett finished his college running back career with 6,082 total rushing yards a NCAA record at the time that wasn’t surpassed until 1998 by Ricky Williams. Dorsett is considered one of the greatest all time running backs in college football history.

Tony Dorsett’s professional football career would prove to be just as stellar as his college career. Chosen in the first round of the 1977 draft by the NFL Dallas Cowboys, Dorsett made an instant impression in his first year rushing for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns and winning the Rookie of the Year honors, not to mention winning Super Bowl XII. He was the first player to win back-to-back championships - the college football championship in 1976 and Super Bowl XII in 1977. In his second season the magic continued as he ran for 1.325 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Cowboys headed to the Super Bowl again in 1978 but this time would not be victorious losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII. In 1981, his most productive year, Dorsett recorded 1,646 yards.

Dorsett would spend ten years with the Cowboys before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 1988 where he recorded 703 yards. He retired from the game in 1989 due to injuries. In total Dorsett amassed 12,739 yards and 77 touchdowns in his 12 year NFL career. He rushed for over 1000 yards in eight of his first nine seasons. Missing the mark in 1982, due only to a strike-shortened season (only nine games were played that season). He made the Pro Bowl four times during his career and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. The same year he was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium. The NFL Dallas Cowboys have been an exceptional team through the years thanks to many outstanding all-stars. Legendary running back Tony Dorsett was one such all-star. He left a mark on the game and greatly impacted both college football and the National Football League. Tony Dorsett left behind a most impressive legacy and will forever be a part of Dallas Cowboys history.

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