During the month of June, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will construct a Mount Rushmore for each team. For this series, we will only consider players. Today, the Dallas Cowboys are the focus.
Dallas Cowboys Mount Rushmore
Roger Staubach
I decided to only include one quarterback on the Dallas Cowboys Mount Rushmore because I had to limit the article to four players somehow. Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman are both Cowboys legends and deserving of a spot, but I’m giving the slight edge to Staubach. Staubach’s impressive numbers could have been even better if he entered the league at a normal age. After serving in the Navy, Staubach’s first season in the NFL came at the age of 27. He was known as an elusive quarterback who dodged past defenders to make plays. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and he won two Super Bowls (four appearances) in Dallas. Remarkably, he was 37 during his final NFL season and he played his entire 11-year career in Dallas. Staubach was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. While Tony Dorsett was also an incredible running back, I’m giving the nod to Smith. Emmitt Smith has the most rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164) of all-time. He played 13 of his 15 seasons with the Cowboys and he racked up nearly all of these yards and touchdowns in Dallas. He was also an integral member of three Super Bowl championships and he was an eight-time Pro Bowler. Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Emmitt Smith would be a candidate for an NFL Mount Rushmore as one of the greatest running backs of all-time, so his spot here is locked up.
Michael Irvin
Michael Irvin is the franchise leader in receiving yards (11,904) and receiving touchdowns (65). Dez Bryant has a long way to go if he wants to top Michael Irvin as the greatest receiver in Cowboys history. Irvin played his entire 12-year career in Dallas and he helped the team win three Super Bowls. Along with Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, Irvin was a member of “The Triplets.” He was a five-time Pro Bowler and he was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Bob Lilly
Bob Lilly, also known as “Mr. Cowboy,” gets the nod over Randy White as the greatest defensive lineman in Cowboys history. He was an extremely versatile defensive lineman, excelling from both the defensive end and defensive tackle positions. In addition, he was able to dominate as a run stopper and as a pass rusher, so he was a true three-down defensive lineman. He played his entire 14-year career in Dallas and he was a Pro Bowler during 11 of those seasons. He was the first member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, he was a member of the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams, and he helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
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