The Dallas Cowboys have had a number of key moments in their history that changed their franchise forever. From the Roger Staubach years to Troy Aikman winning Super Bowls, there has been a lot of success. But which moments are the best? Let's take a look at the five best moments in Cowboys history.
5. Cowboys open up “Jerry's World”
The Cowboys haven't had as much success yet as they had hoped in recent years, but the opening of “Jerry's World” is still one of the top moments in the team's history. Texas Stadium was fine, but AT&T Stadium is world class and completely changed how NFL teams look at stadiums when they want to build. “Jerry's World” cost Jerry Jones and the city of Arlington $1.3 billion. The scoreboard itself is more impressive than some NFL stadiums, and that's just the start.
Places like U.S. Bank Stadium used the Cowboys' new digs as a starting point for their stadium. The only thing that AT&T Stadium is missing at this point is a Super Bowl championship.
4. 1992 NFC Championship Game
The 1992 NFC Championship Game was sweet revenge for the Cowboys and their fans. After the San Francisco 49ers had so much success during the 1980s, the Cowboys finally got them back. The Cowboys were big underdogs, but the offense put up 30 points, enough to lead to a victory.
After the game, Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson gave a great speech and uttered this famous line: “How 'bout them Cowboys.”
It's still a phrase said today, and the Cowboys franchise was changed forever with that win.
3. The first Hail Mary
Probably the most famous play in Cowboys history was Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson. In the 1975 Divisional playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings, the Cowboys were down by four points with 32 seconds left in the game. Staubach was in desperation mode and just flung it up in the air. Pearson had to come back for the ball and caught it. Vikings defensive back Nate Wright fell down, so Pearson went right into the end zone.
There are some who argue that Wright was helped to the ground by Pearson, but either way, the Cowboys came away with a win. After the game, Staubach said he threw up the ball and said a Hail Mary, hence the name was born.
2. Cowboys draft Roger Staubach
One of the best decisions in Cowboys history was drafting Roger Staubach. The Navy quarterback had just won the Heisman Trophy, so the Cowboys selected him in the 10th round of the 1964 NFL Draft.
Staubach still had to play his senior season with Navy and then serve his four-year military commitment. It was a long wait to get Staubach on the Cowboys, but it paid off in a big way.
Staubach ended up starting 114 games for Dallas, leading them to an 85-29 record. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and the Cowboys won two Super Bowls with him under center. Staubach is also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Cowboys fleece the Vikings
The Herschel Walker trade changed the franchise forever. After starting 0-5 in the 1989 season, Dallas decided to ship off Walker to the Vikings for a combination of 18 players and draft picks. The Cowboys got a lot of top talent with the Vikings' draft picks, including Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson.
Walker was a big bust for the Vikings, but even if he found a lot of success, Dallas would have still been happy with the trade because of everything that came back in return.
The trade helped boost the Cowboys to the start of their dynasty, with three Super Bowls coming in the early '90s.
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