Number 10: Mel Renfro – The Shutdown Defender
One of the greatest defenders in Cowboys history, Mel Renfro was a defensive back holding the franchise interception record of 52. With his quick speed and sharp instincts, Mel played a key role in the Cowboys’ defense. Being such a strong player, it’s only natural he earned 10 Pro Bowl selections and helped the Cowboys win their first two Super Bowl championships. Mel’s career lasted 14 years and he played a vital role in Tom Landry’s Cowboys.
Number 9: Jason Witten – The Ironman
One of Dallas’s most reliable players they will ever see, Jason was a monster with over 17 seasons played with the Cowboys and a franchise record of 1,215 receptions and 12,977 receiving yards. This was the guy you throw to on 3rd and long or even 4th and long. He was a get-out-of-jail card for the Cowboys and a quarterback’s best friend. Witten was an 11-time Pro Bowler and one of the best tight ends in NFL history. He was everything a tight end should be: tough, reliable, and a playmaker.
Number 8: Randy White – The Manster
Nicknamed Manster (half man, half monster), White was the dictator of the line of scrimmage for over a decade in the Cowboys’ golden years. This guy was the pure embodiment of the iron curtain. It truly was a relief to quarterbacks knowing nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl MVP winner was on your side of the line.
Number 7: Drew Pearson – Mr. Clutch
Hall of Famer Drew Pearson was a passing game threat to defenses. His nickname was earned through game-changing catches. When the pressure was on and hope was lost, who do you lob it up to? Mr. Clutch. He had the magic to turn the outcome of games on a dime. His most famous catch is the “Hail Mary” from Staubach in 1975. Drew Pearson’s constant passing threat helped the Cowboys seize Super Bowl XII.
Number 6: Tony Dorsett – The Speedster
Tony Dorsett, the running back who ran the Cowboys to Super Bowl XII, carved his name into history with his 99-yard touchdown sprint, a franchise record. Dorsett dominated the field in the late 1970s and 1980s and finished his career with well over 12,000 rushing yards. Not only did he win Rookie of the Year in 1977, but Dorsett still remains one of the best backs the Cowboys have ever had.
Number 5: Michael Irvin – The Playmaker
Energy, swagger, competitiveness Irvin brought it all. Even his personality was fiery. Irvin had a hunger that could not be satisfied without completely devouring cornerbacks. He had 750 career receptions and 11,904 yards, along with 65 touchdowns. Irvin helped lead the way to three Super Bowl titles for the Cowboys with his clutch performances. With his amazing leadership off the field, the nickname “The Playmaker” is pretty fitting.
Number 4: Troy Aikman – The Dynasty Quarterback
The quarterback that led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls in four years and was part of the “Triplets,” the trio that defined Dallas football in the 1990s. Troy was the most accurate and efficient quarterback of his time, leading him to win Super Bowl MVP. Troy didn’t know what pressure was. His ability to make plays under pressure was remarkable, and that’s what put him at the top.
Number 3: Bob Lilly – Mr. Cowboy
None other than the Cowboys’ first ever draft pick, Bob Lilly set the standard for the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense. Lilly was remarkable at putting pressure on the QB when it mattered most and actually completing sacks. His sack against Bob Griese in Super Bowl VI remains one of the most iconic plays in team history. The constant pressure and fear Mr. Cowboy brought was truly spectacular.
Number 2: Roger Staubach – Captain Comeback
Roger was a war veteran and a mobile one too. From dropping into Nam to dropping back in the pocket and making magic happen, Roger was as good as you could get. With his quick release and his championship leadership, he quickly became the starting QB for the Cowboys in 1971 and immediately threw Dallas into a Super Bowl. In 1975, Roger threw a deep pass to Drew Pearson against the Vikings in a last-ditch effort to seize the game. He later said he “closed [his] eyes and said a Hail Mary,” creating the phrase we all love to say and the play we love to see in-game. Staubach threw for over 22,700 yards, 153 touchdowns, and rushed for 2,264 yards truly a mobile, speedy, leadership-worthy quarterback to be remembered in Cowboys history.
Number 1: Emmitt Smith – The Rushing King
When it comes to the best Cowboy player in franchise history, no player is as memorable as Emmitt Smith, “The Rushing King.” Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards. Once he hit 100 yards in a game, he was unstoppable. Smith was a huge factor in the Cowboys’ success in the ’90s, helping Dallas win three Super Bowls. He was the 1993 NFL MVP and became the franchise’s all-time touchdown leader. Smith was unshakable in the biggest moments no amount of pressure could crack him. When it mattered most, Emmitt Smith was your guy.as seen.
From shutdown defenders to rushing kings, these legends built the foundation of America’s Team and defined what it means to be a Dallas Cowboy.
