Your Most Inspirational Cowboy

Diehardblues

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Imagine being the first African-American players to play for the Cowboys in the early 1960s before modern civil rights laws. Here are some inspiring guys I will praise for overcoming the prejudices and racism they encountered early in their careers in Dallas:
  • Frank Clarke- great TE and first receiving star for Cowboys in early 60s.
  • Don Perkins- in the ROH. First great RB for Cowboys
  • Mel Renfro- drafted by the Cowboys in their great 1964 draft- member of HOF. Tells stories of how hard it was to buy a house in Dallas as a young black player.
  • Jethro Pugh- great DT on the first Doomsday Ds.
  • Cornell Green- All pro safety of the 60s and early 70s.
This list could go on...All of these guys came to Dallas before the Civil rights laws that protect all Americans now from being discriminated against in housing. All these guys had to endure some racism in the early days of the Cowboys. Mel Renfro tells an amazing story about his struggle with housing when he first came here. All these guys were pioneers and paved the way for future black players.
Well done Bob!

Remember Dallas was first NFL team in the South. SMU was first team integrating in Southwest Conference that didn’t begin until 1966.

Those early players must have ensured many hardships and discrimination. I recall Jim Brown talking about how he couldn’t stay at all of the team hotels on the road.
 

Diehardblues

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Staubach was an early inspiration overcoming being out of football 5 years in Navy before coming to Cowboys.

In one season after he became the starter impacted the franchise more than any Cowboy player ever has IMO.

He’s still the greatest Cowboy player ever.
 

Gorgon

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Bob Lilly. Game in and game out, he was the defense for Dallas until they won the Super Bowl. It was too bad that he was on the verge of retirement when Too Tall and Harvey Martin came in.

Just once I'd like to see a Lilly, White, Martin, Jones front line at full health!
 

Bullflop

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I've got to give due credit to Bullet BOB HAYES here. He caused me to become a Cowboys fan. Nobody could cover him.:thumbup:
 

ologan

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Double Deuce......Emmitt Smith.....THE "one armed" Giants game for the division, bye, and home field leading to their second SB in the 90's.....He's the one!
 
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