Legendary Running Back Tony Dorsett

A fan favorite franchise, the Dallas Cowboys ofteam to a national title in 1976. He was also
the National Football League have been a successawarded the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award
on the field playing at a consistently high leveland the Walter Camp Award as well as being a
since joining the league as an expansion team infour-time All-American. Dorsett finished his college
1960. In addition to their great success on therunning back career with 6,082 total rushing yards
field, "America's Team" has been just asa NCAA record at the time that wasn't surpassed
successful off the field and is considered one ofuntil 1998 by Ricky Williams. Dorsett is considered
the most valuable sports teams in North America.one of the greatest all time running backs in
At the heart of the Cowboys great success arecollege football history.
the individuals who have contributed to the play.Tony Dorsett's professional football career would
Throughout the life of its franchise, the Dallasprove to be just as stellar as his college career.
Cowboys have had a number of all-stars whoseChosen in the first round of the 1977 draft by
skills and achievements have contributed to Dallasthe NFL Dallas Cowboys, Dorsett made an instant
Cowboys history. Endless players have donnedimpression in his first year rushing for 1,007 yards
the single star and blue and white jerseys of theand 12 touchdowns and winning the Rookie of the
Dallas Cowboys and taken to the field at TexasYear honors, not to mention winning Super Bowl
Stadium. In the process some of them, such asXII. He was the first player to win back-to-back
Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, andchampionships - the college football championship
Emmitt Smith have become legends of the game.in 1976 and Super Bowl XII in 1977. In his second
One of the most successful teams in the historyseason the magic continued as he ran for 1.325
of the National Football League, the Dallasyards and 9 touchdowns. The Cowboys headed
Cowboys hold numerous league records, thanksto the Super Bowl again in 1978 but this time
to these players and countless others over thewould not be victorious losing to the Pittsburgh
years. The Cowboys hold the league record forSteelers in Super Bowl XIII. In 1981, his most
most consecutive winning seasons - 20 in all -productive year, Dorsett recorded 1,646 yards.
from 1966 to 1985, as well as the record forDorsett would spend ten years with the
most seasons with at least 10 wins (24).Cowboys before being traded to the Denver
Additionally, they have been SuperbowlBroncos in 1988 where he recorded 703 yards.
Champions five times a record they share withHe retired from the game in 1989 due to injuries.
the San Francisco 49ers and the PittsburghIn total Dorsett amassed 12,739 yards and 77
Steelers. The list of team records, a part of Dallastouchdowns in his 12 year NFL career. He rushed
Cowboys history, goes on and on. A formidablefor over 1000 yards in eight of his first nine
team with an exceptional past, Cowboys footballseasons. Missing the mark in 1982, due only to a
was particularly successful during the 30 yearstrike-shortened season (only nine games were
span from 1966 to 1996 during which time theplayed that season). He made the Pro Bowl four
team qualified for the playoffs 24 times, played intimes during his career and was elected to the
14 NFC Championship games, won 19 divisionPro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football
titles, and took to the field for 8 Super Bowls,Hall of Fame in 1994. The same year he was
becoming Super Bowl Champions five times.inducted into the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor
Running back Tony Dorsett was one player whoat Texas Stadium. The NFL Dallas Cowboys have
contributed greatly to Dallas Cowboys footballbeen an exceptional team through the years
success and in so doing became a Dallasthanks to many outstanding all-stars. Legendary
Cowboys legend. Born in 1954 in Rochester,running back Tony Dorsett was one such all-star.
Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, DorsettHe left a mark on the game and greatly impacted
grew up in Hopewell Township, PA where he wasboth college football and the National Football
a football star at Hopewell High School. HeLeague. Tony Dorsett left behind a most
attended the University of Pittsburgh where heimpressive legacy and will forever be a part of
set NCAA college records and helped lead hisDallas Cowboys history.