29 Years Ago Today...Tony Dorsett's 99-yd TD run - Page 3 - Dallas Cowboys Forum

LandryFan · 01-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

It was the 4th quarter of Monday Night Football. For the first time ever, the Dallas Cowboys had a regular season game played in January. The season was shortened to 9 games because of the first NFL Players strike. Divisions were done away with for the year.

Dallas trailed the Vikings, 13 to 24 after John Turner returned a Danny White pass the other way for a score. Minnesota pinned the Cowboys inside the 1 yard line and things looked hopeless.

My Mom was watching the game with me and said, "Well, what are your Cowboys going to do now?" At the time the longest rushing TD in the NFL had been a 97 yard score by Andy Uram of the Chicago Bears in 1939.

I confidently replied, "No problem, Tony Dorsett is going to break the NFL record right here."

[View Full Quote]Tony Dorsett was the single setback, because the FB forgot to enter the game. Dallas had only 10 men on the field. It must have helped that Tony didn't have to avoid his lead blocker. I still remember Frank Gifford's call, "huge opening for Tony Dorsett, look out he's got great speed." In the background Don Meredith was saying it by the time Tony hit the 30 yard line, "99 yards and a half."

Then you could hear Howard Cosell, "99 yards. i think it's the longest run in the History of the league."

I had a big bowl of popcorn in my lap, I jumped up and it went flying. I also raised by arms and hit a huge potted fern that my Mom loved and it went flying. I had huge chunks of fern draped over my head and popcorn and fern were all over the floor. I destroyed that fern. Did I mention my Mom loved it? It was really quite beautiful.

I heard something and slowly turned my head to the right and saw my mother lying across the couch laughing her *** off. She was snorting and holding her ribs lying on her side. Tears running down her face. I was trying to apologize for destroying the plant, and she didn't care one bit. Sad it was the funniest thing she had ever seen.

I told that story at her funeral in May and everyone was laughing.

It is perhaps my favorite moment ever in a Cowboys loss. I am proud of the record Tony holds, but it also has the significance of that story for me which is a precious memory of a better time in my life. I was home from college for the Christmas break.

I can still remember how cold the wet fern was on my head, and trying to see the carnage and the end of the touchdown through the shoots draped over my face and eyes. Still smell and taste the hot buttered popcorn that mom made in a pan on the stove the old fashioned way. Can still hear Frank, Don, and Howard praising Tony. I remember Drew Pearson was the first guy to congratulate him.

I still remember the belief we were going to come back and win that game too. You see, Tony Dorsett rushing for 100 yards was a good omen for the Cowboys. Up to that point, only one time in his career had he hit 100+ yards and the Cowboys lost.

That TD made it 20-24. Ron Springs later scored too for a 27-24 Cowboys lead, but the Vikings scored on a late TD pass, I think Tommy Kramer threw it. The Vikings won 27-31.

43 times in his Cowboys career Tony Dorsett eclipsed the 100 yard mark in a football game. 39 times when that happened we won. Only 4 times did he reach that mark and the Cowboys fail to capitalize.

It was 29 yars ago today, and it doesn't feel that long ago at all.

I had the good fortune to talk with TD for a few minutes, and I brought up his 99 yarder. He was very quick to point out to me that it was actually 5 yards longer considering where he took the handoff. He was very proud of that record.

goshan · 01-03-2012

Remember it very well, but my main memory is also that we lost.

Hostile · 01-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandryFan

I had the good fortune to talk with TD for a few minutes, and I brought up his 99 yarder. He was very quick to point out to me that it was actually 5 yards longer considering where he took the handoff. He was very proud of that record.

That's cool.

Dave_in-NC · 01-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

That's cool.

The quality of TV back in the day.

Hostile · 01-03-2012

This one is great. I had never seen this.

Hostile · 01-03-2012

I don't say this to start a debate, but I'd take Tony over Barry any day of the week.

sbark · 01-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

Tell us more. Please.

Not much to add that hasnt been said. Was a great moment, but still had to spend the 4 hour trip back home with a bunch of Vikes fans rubbing in the win over the Cowboys......

Good thread, these historicall moments in Cowboy history help tie the youngsters back to the glory days and what this franchise is about.

hey... how about the Hail Mary pass......was a great win over the Vikes, that anniversary date gotta be close with playoffs right around the corner.

Hostile · 01-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbark

Not much to add that hasnt been said. Was a great moment, but still had to spend the 4 hour trip back home with a bunch of Vikes fans rubbing in the win over the Cowboys......

Good thread, these historicall moments in Cowboy history help tie the youngsters back to the glory days and what this franchise is about.

hey... how about the Hail Mary pass......was a great win over the Vikes, that anniversary date gotta be close with playoffs right around the corner.

It was actually December 28th.

36 years ago.

2233boys · 01-04-2012

Lol @ Danny White in that video, I never realized he had crazy eyes.

As an aside, I didn't get to watch this game, had to go to bed school night. I did have the newspaper clipping up on my wall until I went to college.

CowboyDan · 01-04-2012

Tony Dorsett is the reason I'm a Cowboys fan. He was/is far and away my favorite all-time Cowboy. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year. He was very cool and down to earth.