There was serious consideration for Bob Lilly to be named number #1, but #2 is a damned good rank for a storied franchise like the Dallas Cowboys.

Bob Lilly, the first-ever college draft pick for the Dallas Cowboys(13th overall in 1961) from TCU, did more than just lead an expansion team—he became its defining figure. Known as "Mr. Cowboy," the legendary defensive lineman was the cornerstone of Coach Tom Landry’s defense, establishing a career that solidified his role as the foundation of America's Team.

Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 260 pounds, Lilly possessed a rare combination of explosive quickness, unwavering power, and instinctual awareness. Operating from a distinctive four-point stance, he employed aggressive hand-fights and an unblockable lateral reach to penetrate interior double-teams. Whether collapsing the pocket during passing downs or pursuing ball carriers across the field, Lilly's speed and agility transformed the defensive tackle role from a mere interior space occupier into a dynamic game-changing presence.

What truly distinguished Lilly was his exceptional motor and technical efficiency within Tom Landry’s intricate "Flex" defense. Unlike many tackles of his era, who relied predominantly on brute force, Lilly excelled by beating guards off the snap with a remarkably swift first step, thus compelling blockers to recover immediately. His lateral agility allowed him to pursue plays along the line of scrimmage with effort comparable to that of a wide receiver, culminating in four defensive touchdowns—three from fumble recoveries and one from an interception return—during his career. Opposing offensive coordinators routinely assigned two or three blockers to contain him; nevertheless, Lilly's unwavering second-effort rush consistently compelled quarterbacks to alter their passing positions.

After spending his initial two seasons chiefly as a defensive end, Lilly’s transition to defensive tackle in 1963 initiated one of the most extraordinary individual sequences in contemporary football history. commencing in 1962, Lilly obtained his inaugural of 11 Pro Bowl selections. From 1964 to 1973, he undertook a decade-long succession of Pro Bowl appearances in Hawaii, highlighted by seven First-Team All-Pro honors (1964–1969, 1971) and two Second-Team distinctions.

As the central figure of Dallas’ original "Doomsday Defense," Lilly guided the Cowboys to six conference championship appearances and two Super Bowls from 1966 to 1973. After a heartbreaking defeat to Baltimore in Super Bowl V, Lilly and the Cowboys once again ascended to the championship stage in Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins. Lilly executed the defining moment of the franchise’s inaugural title run—pursuing Miami quarterback Bob Griese for a historic 29-yard sack, an act that remains the longest sack in Super Bowl history. Dallas dominated the Dolphins in a 24–3 victory, thereby crowning Lilly as a world champion.

In addition to his personal dominance, Lilly set a benchmark for iron-man durability. Over 14 seasons with Dallas (1961–1974), he appeared in 196 consecutive regular-season games, never missing a game throughout his entire career. During his time as a Cowboy, Lilly played in 196 regular-season games and achieved 95.5 sacks.

After retiring following the 1974 season, Lilly was named the inaugural member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1975, cementing his status as the franchise’s original icon. In 1980, his first year of eligibility, Lilly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first player to spend his entire career in Dallas and earn a gold jacket in Canton. He was later named to both the NFL 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams, as well as the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.