Dallas Cowboys: 30 greatest players in franchise history

We take on the impossible task of ranking the top 30 greatest players ever to  wear The Star and take the field for the Dallas Cowboys.

Since joining the NFL in 1960, the Dallas Cowboys have had several legendary players take the field wearing the iconic Star on their helmets.

In fact, 24 former players, coaches or executives of America’s Team currently reside in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And there are 21 former Cowboys who are among the team’s own Ring of Honor.

But what does it mean to be ranked as one of the greatest Cowboys in franchise history? Must you be a Hall of Famer? Is helping Dallas win one of their five Super Bowl championships make you worthy? How about the number of Pro Bowl and All-Pro nominations you might have?

Perhaps being a franchise leader in a particular statically category or two gets you high on the list? Does career longevity even play a part?

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “yes”. It all matters. But one accolade alone isn’t enough. Sometimes, legacy and impact can leapfrog a Hall of Famer or vice versa.

Whenever you take on a task like creating a list of the greatest Cowboys of all-time, perspective and personal opinion inevitably influence what is a subjective ranking.

So, take this “greatest” list with a grain of salt. This is just one humble fan’s opinion. Your list is likely very different than mine. And that’s how it should be. Feel free to share your own rankings with us in the comment section down below.

And now, we take on the impossible task of ranking the Dallas Cowboys 30 greatest players in franchise history. And we start with a player who recently left Dallas, but his impact during his time with the Cowboys is undeniable.