3. Roger Staubach

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While a case could have been made for Roger Staubach to be at #1, #3 for this team still means you are an absolute legend.

Drafted in the tenth round of the 1964 NFL Draft from the Naval Academy—where he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy—Roger Staubach had to wait five years to start his professional football journey while fulfilling his active-duty military commitment, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. When he finally arrived in Dallas as a 27-year-old rookie in 1969, "Captain Comeback" quickly made up for lost time, leading the team through a string of exciting victories and guiding America's Team to the top of professional football.

Staubach infused Tom Landry's disciplined offense with a fervent and competitive spirit. He exhibited a robust arm, precise accuracy over long distances, and exceptional scrambling skills, rendering him particularly dangerous when plays deviated from the expected. Esteemed for his calm disposition under pressure, Staubach often transformed late-game fourth-quarter deficits into memorable comeback victories, notably coining the term "Hail Mary" through his legendary 50-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Drew Pearson during the 1975 playoffs.

What truly distinguished Staubach’s playing style was his remarkable ability to transform chaotic, broken plays into devastatingly explosive gains. Reluctant to accept a sack or an inconsequential throwaway, Staubach demonstrated swift lateral footwork and exceptional vision while maneuvering outside the pocket. He would deftly spin away from unblocked pass rushers, prolong plays for five or six seconds, and execute precise throws at full speed toward the sideline.

Defenses confronted an insurmountable dilemma: if they retreated into coverage, Staubach would tuck the ball and scramble downfield to secure vital first downs; if they advanced to contain him, he would drop a precise pass over their heads. His unwavering physical determination and steadfast refusal to concede defeat earned him 23 fourth-quarter comeback victories throughout his career, setting the benchmark for exceptional quarterback performance under pressure.

After spending his initial two seasons sharing responsibilities at quarterback, Staubach assumed full control of the starting position in 1971 following his mid-season substitution of Craig Morton. He remained undefeated in all ten of his regular-season starts, led the National Football League (NFL) with an impressive 104.8 quarterback rating, and received his inaugural Pro Bowl selection. He concluded the remarkable season by guiding Dallas to its inaugural franchise championship in Super Bowl VI, where he was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) in a 24–3 victory over Miami.

After missing most of 1972 due to a shoulder injury—only to come off the bench in the playoffs to orchestrate a renowned 30–28 comeback victory over San Francisco—Staubach returned as the full-time leader in 1973, leading the NFL in touchdown passes (23) and passer rating (94.6) while earning his second Pro Bowl invitation.

Between 1975 and 1979, Staubach distinguished himself by securing five consecutive Pro Bowl selections and guiding the Cowboys to three Super Bowl appearances within four years. The zenith of this period was reached during the 1977 season, when Staubach led the NFC in passing yards with 2,620 and achieved a passer rating of 87.0, spearheading Dallas's formidable postseason campaign that concluded with a victory over Denver in Super Bowl XII.

Staubach reached his ultimate personal passing peak during his final two seasons. He led the National Football League in passer rating in 1978 with a score of 84.9 and in 1979 with a score of 92.3. During the 1979 season, at the age of 37, he attained career highs with 3,586 passing yards and 27 touchdown passes, culminating in a memorable 35–34 comeback victory over the Washington Redskins in the regular-season finale before retiring at the pinnacle of his career.

Staubach appeared in 131 regular-season games, recording an impressive 85–29–0 as a starter with a .746 winning percentage. He threw for 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns, adding 2,264 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. In 1983, he was honored with induction into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, and in 1985, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot. The NFL also included him in the 1970s All-Decade Team and the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Quarterback
  • Acquired: Selected in the 10th Round, 129th Overall in the NFL Draft 12/2/63.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1979 Season.
  • Games Played: 131
  • Notable Statistics:

    114 Games Started
    1,685 Pass Completions
    2,958 Pass Attempts
    57.0 Pass Completion Percentage
    22,700 Passing Yards
    153 Touchdown Passes
    109 Interceptions
    83.4 Passer Rating
    410 Rushing Attempts
    2,264 Rushing Yards
    20 Rushing Touchdowns
    1 Reception
    -13 Receiving Yards
    127 Approximate Value

    20 Playoff Games
    223 Pass Completions
    410 Pass Attempts
    54.4 Pass Completion Percentage
    2,791 Passing Yards
    24 Touchdown Passes
    19 Interceptions
    76.0 Passer Rating
    76 Rushing Attempts
    432 Rushing Yards

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (VI & XII)
    Bert Bell Award (1971)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1971)
    Super Bowl MVP (VI)
    Walter Payton Man of the Year (1978)
    NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (1978)
    Pro Bowl (1971, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 & 1979)
    Most Touchdown Passes (1973)
    Highest Passer Rating (1971, 1973, 1978 & 1979)
    Most Yards per Pass Attempt (1971 & 1973)

  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    2nd in 1971, 4th in 1978 & 4th in 1979

    Top Ten Offensive Player of the Year Finishes:
    4th in 1979
Last modified on Wednesday, 05 August 2026 20:52

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