There is no team with more outside attention than the Dallas Cowboys. Since becoming known as “America's Team,” the Cowboys have welcomed attention from the media, fans and critics. In recent years, this has not been positive coverage.
Dallas is currently tied for second in the NFL with five Super Bowl championships. Their last victory was after the 1995 season. It has been 25 years since the Cowboys hoisted the Lombardi Trophy and critics are not shy about bringing it up.
With Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys are hoping they can break their streak of poor luck in the playoffs. Below are five players that had no trouble winning in the postseason. Here are the top players in Cowboys' history.
5. Randy White, DT
White turned in an incredible career at Maryland before entering the 1975 NFL Draft. Lucky for Dallas, the Atlanta Falcons opted to take Steve Bartkowski with the No. 1 overall pick. This allowed the Cowboys to take White second. He was one of three Hall of Famers in the top six along with Walter Payton and Robert Brazile.
Nicknamed “The Manster,” White was one of the most feared defensive lineman in the league. He spent 14 years in Dallas and was a seven-time First Team All-Pro member. The nine-time Pro Bowler was apart of the 1977 Super Bowl team and was named co-MVP of the game.
White is credited with 52 sacks in his career since the stat became official in 1982. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, White finished his career with 1,104 tackles and 111 sacks. He is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and NFL Hall of Fame.
4. Michael Irvin, WR
When the Cowboys selected Irvin in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft, they added their No. 1 option for a long time. Irvin played in Dallas from 1988-1999 and was apart of some of the best teams in franchise history.
Irvin helped Dallas win five straight division titles from 1992-1997. During that time, the Cowboys made four NFC Championship Game appearance and won three Super Bowls. He made an impact on Super Bowl XVII with two touchdown receptions.
During his career, Irvin was a five-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro selection in 1991. When he retired, Irvin had completely shattered previous receiving records. He finished his career with 750 catches for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns. He is currently second in all of those categories behind Jason Witten.
Irvin is just one of two Cowboys to eclipse 10,000 yards receiving. He was enshrined in Canton in 2007 and will be remembered as one of the top Cowboys ever.
3. Bob Lilly, DT
The Cowboys got their draft history off to a good start when they made Lilly their first ever selection. Lilly was a staple on the Dallas defensive line from 1961-1974. He turned in one of the more incredible stats by never missing a game. There were 196 games played during Lilly's 14-year career and he started every single one of them.
Lilly was on the 1971 Super Bowl team. He was one of the top defensive lineman in the league. Lilly was an 11-time Pro Bowler that consistently found himself as an All-Pro selection. He was a seven time First Team selection including six in a row from 1964-1970.
The inevitable came in 1980 when Lilly was elected to the Hall of Fame. This is more than just a selection for the Cowboys. Lilly can be remembered as one of the top defensive lineman to ever play the game.
2. Emmitt Smith, RB
Smith played in the NFL for 15 years, 13 of which came with the Cowboys. He wasted no time finding success in the league. In his second season in 1991, Smith led the league in carries and rushing yards. He carried the ball 365 times for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns.
This would begin a stretch where Smith led the league in rushing four out of five years and in rushing touchdowns three times. In 1995, Smith turned in one of the best seasons ever by a running back. He finished with 377 carries for 1,773 yards and 25 touchdowns. All of these categories led the league and set new single-season marks for Dallas. In 2014, DeMarco Murray broke the record for carries and rushing yards in a season. No Cowboy has yet to come close to breaking Smith's 25 touchdown mark.
Smith is currently the all time leading rusher with 18,355 yards and leader in rushing touchdowns with 164. Both marks seem safe for the foreseeable future. He was apart of three Super Bowl teams in Dallas and helped build the dominance in the mid-90's.
In 2010, Smith was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot. The all time rushing king would be No. 1 on a lot of lists, but the Cowboys have had a rich history of legendary players.
1. Roger Staubach, QB
There have been countless names to play in Dallas and wear the star on their helmet. When you hear the name Dallas Cowboys, Staubach immediately comes to mind. After serving in the United States Navy for four years, Staubach joined the Cowboys in 1969.
Staubach did not take over the starting role until 1971. He started 10 games and the team went 10-0 in those regular season games. Staubach never handed the job back after leading Dallas to a Super Bowl title. The six-time Pro Bowler had a knack for making big comebacks under the brightest lights.
Staubach would lead the Cowboys to six division titles, six NFC Championship Game appearances, and four Super Bowl appearances. Staubach is a two-time Super Bowl champion and was named Super Bowl MVP in 1971. He retired as the Cowboys' leader in passing yards with 22,700 and passing touchdowns with 153. Staubach was also a threat with his legs. He rushed for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns. He still holds the record for rushing yards by any Dallas quarterback, but Prescott is on the heels of that.
Staubach was a special player and one of the all time great quarterbacks. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1985. When looking at the history of players to enter the Cowboys' locker room, you will not find one better than Staubach.
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