Dallas Cowboys: 30 greatest players in franchise history

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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 12: A view of a Cowboy’s helmet prior to the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 12, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

. Safety. (1970-1979). Cliff Harris. 21. player. 123

Another former Dallas Cowboys player with a terrific nickname, Cliff Harris a.k.a. “Captain Crash” was an undrafted free agent out of Ouachita Baptist University in 1970. In his first year, Harris earned the starting safety role over third-round rookie Charlie Waters.

Harris would only play half of his rookie campaign as Uncle Sam required he fulfill his military service, opening the door for Waters to start six games and be named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Luckily, Harris did return in time to help the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins. In the following years, Dallas would pair Waters up with “Captain Crash” to become one of the top defensive duos in NFL history.

Unexpectedly, Harris up and retired at the age of 31 to pursue a career in the oil industry. During his 10-year career, he played in five Super Bowls, won two championships, was nominated to the Pro Bowl six times and named an All-Pro five times.

A Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist back in 2004, Cliff Harris is best remembered for his tough playing style once described as a “rolling ball of butcher knives”. Harris is a member of the Cowboys Ring of Honor and was named to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.

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