What is the most important play in Cowboys history

[Bay10]

I say Aikman to Harper on the slant in the 92 NFC Championship.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

You mean besides the first one ?

 

[FiveRings]

Staubach's to Pearson vs. the Vikings in 75. The Hail Mary. Full disclosure, I wasn't yet around for this one, but come on.

 

[yentl911]

I would have to say the Montana to Clark TD in the NFC title game. It changed the direction of each franchise for over a decade. I still hate seeing that play like it was yesterday. Still hurts and had the most lasting impact I think.

The other one is the drop on the SB by Jackie Smith - we would have won that game and would have changed the perception of the Cowboys/Steelers teams of the 70's, early 80's. That's a play that he makes 99 out of 100 times. Still hurts.

 

[Chuck 54]

Bob Lilly's record sack against Griese in our first SB victory...sort of sealed the deal while also being a play that was a metaphor for the relentless journey to a SB title, a journey that wasn't easy, a journey in which we fell short for several years to the Browns, the Packers, the Colts. Watching Lilly and the defense chase Griese around on that play, finally sack him, and celebrate was a picture of what took the team years to accomplish.

And that lead to a confidence that took us from the team that couldn't win the big one to the team that won two titles, made the playoffs 17 years in a row, was the legacy that Aikman and others followed for 3 more titles, and the representative play in a long storied history that still makes fans, owners, coaches, and players unsatisfied with mediocrity.

 

[TheGoat73]

Kordell keeps the ball...again.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Bob Lilly's record sack against Griese in our first SB victory...sort of sealed the deal while also being a play that was a metaphor for the relentless journey to a SB title, a journey that wasn't easy, a journey in which we fell short for several years to the Browns, the Packers, the Colts. Watching Lilly and the defense chase Griese around on that play, finally sack him, and celebrate was a picture of what took the team years to accomplish.

And that lead to a confidence that took us from the team that couldn't win the big one to the team that won two titles, made the playoffs 17 years in a row, was the legacy that Aikman and others followed for 3 more titles, and the representative play in a long storied history that still makes fans, owners, coaches, and players unsatisfied with mediocrity.

even as somebody born in 84 I'd have to say this one

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

The Hail Mary, beacause it turned Cowboys football into a religion that, to this day, is still worshoped or despised around the America's Team aura.

 

[Dion2288]

I say Aikman to Harper on the slant in the 92 NFC Championship.

This was first choice. But since you mentioned it I'll go a different direction.

The Romo to Crayton misfire in the 07' playoff game is my choice. I believe if Crayton doesn't slow down, we win the Super Bowl. Plus, the Romo reputation is totally different along with the identity of this franchise, and its owner, since then.

(Ok...maybe not THE most important, but it feels like it as a longtime fan)

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I say Aikman to Harper on the slant in the 92 NFC Championship. )

This was first choice. But since you mentioned it I'll go a different direction.

The Romo to Crayton misfire in the 07' playoff game is my choice. I believe if Crayton doesn't slow down, we win the Super Bowl. Plus, the Romo reputation is totally different along with the identity of this franchise, and its owner, since then.

(Ok...maybe not THE most important, but it feels like it as a longtime fan)

EDITED:

While those are great plays, let's be realistic and not declare the most important play in Cowboys history as any one that involves players like Harper and Crayton.

In my opinion any play dubbed the most important in Cowboys history should also be the greatest play involving Hall of Famers and/or Ring of Honor inductees as the cornerstones of their memorable plays, and the play itself should be one that marks the aura of the franchise.

This is why I named the Hail Mary as my opinionated choice. I was too young when that paly happened, so I have only experienced it historically. Still I view it as the most critical because it sealed the mystique of the Cowboys as America’s Team - meaning that without that play I don't think the America's Team label and Aura would ever have stuck to this day.

 

[bark]

Bob Lilly's record sack against Griese in our first SB victory...sort of sealed the deal while also being a play that was a metaphor for the relentless journey to a SB title, a journey that wasn't easy, a journey in which we fell short for several years to the Browns, the Packers, the Colts. Watching Lilly and the defense chase Griese around on that play, finally sack him, and celebrate was a picture of what took the team years to accomplish.

And that lead to a confidence that took us from the team that couldn't win the big one to the team that won two titles, made the playoffs 17 years in a row, was the legacy that Aikman and others followed for 3 more titles, and the representative play in a long storied history that still makes fans, owners, coaches, and players unsatisfied with mediocrity.

this man gets it...lot's of fans forget just how close we were to several more super bowls...I, II, V, and at least one of those against the great steeler teams of the 70's..

 

[Dion2288]

EDITED:

While those are great plays, let's be realistic and not declare the most important play in Cowboys history as any one that involves players like Harper and Crayton.

In my opinion any play dubbed the most important in Cowboys history should also be the greatest play involving Hall of Famers and/or Ring of Honor inductees as the cornerstones of their memorable plays, and the play itself should be one that marks the aura of the franchise.

This is why I named the Hail Mary as my opinionated choice. I was too young when that paly happened, so I have only experienced it historically. Still I view it as the most critical because it sealed the mystique of the Cowboys as America’s Team - meaning that without that play I don't think the America's Team label and Aura would ever have stuck to this day.

I beg to differ. I can understand where you're coming from. But that stance leaves out a play like Jackie Smith's (Hall of Famer but not as a a cowboy) dropped pass against the Steelers. If he makes that catch, the Cowboy and Steeler teams are possibly looked at differently. Too many important plays in Cowboys history have been made by non Hall of Famers
or players not in the ring to just say they can't be viewed as most important in Cowboys history.

While the Hail Mary identified the Cowboys as America's Team, the pass to Harper slayed the demons of "The Catch" and put the NFL on notice they were still America's Team.

 

[RS12]

Bob Lilly's record sack against Griese in our first SB victory...sort of sealed the deal while also being a play that was a metaphor for the relentless journey to a SB title, a journey that wasn't easy, a journey in which we fell short for several years to the Browns, the Packers, the Colts. Watching Lilly and the defense chase Griese around on that play, finally sack him, and celebrate was a picture of what took the team years to accomplish.

And that lead to a confidence that took us from the team that couldn't win the big one to the team that won two titles, made the playoffs 17 years in a row, was the legacy that Aikman and others followed for 3 more titles, and the representative play in a long storied history that still makes fans, owners, coaches, and players unsatisfied with mediocrity.

This would be number 1. 1A would be Norton stopping Kenneth Davis just shy of the goal line in the first Buffalo SB.

 

[Chuck 54]

Actually, the Hail Mary completion happened in 1975 against the Vikings. The title America's team was first originated in 1978 on the Cowboys highlight film. We were called America's team in reaction to our being on TV most weeks due to popularity, referring to players faces being as recognizable as politicians and movie stars.

It's a stretch to make any connection to that pass Pearson caught.

 

[Rack]

Hail Mary, hands down.

JMO

 

[muck4doo]

I say Aikman to Harper on the slant in the 92 NFC Championship.

This thread finished early.

 

[muck4doo]

I say Aikman to Harper on the slant in the 92 NFC Championship.

This will always be my favorite for one reason. "The Catch". I grew up a Cowboys fan in 49er/Raider country. and Whiner fans would never shut up about "The Catch" or fail to rub it in my face every chance they could. I got to watch the 92 NFC championship game as the lone Cowboys fan in a house full of Whiner fans. It was funny because up until that play they all still thought they were going to win even though they were behind. Already asking me if I want to attend their 49ers Super Bowl party. Aikman to Harper. The stupid shocked look that came across all their faces more than made up for years of hearing about "The Catch". I couldn't help but laugh with delight at them, and don't think the smile came off my face for a week. They're still my friends, but they were pretty mad for a week.

 

[FLcowboy]

I say Aikman to Harper on the slant in the 92 NFC Championship.

That was a beautiful play, but there were too many to single one out.

 

[Matts4313]

The drop. Its the difference between us having 6 superbowls and the Steelers having 5. By far the biggest play in Cowboys history.

 

[pugilist]

Staubach to Pearson, Hail Mary

hands.down.