Dallas Cowboys: 30 greatest players in franchise history
13. player. 123. . Wide Receiver. (1965-1974). Bob Hayes
Whenever the NFL has to change the way they fundamentally play defense because of your speed, you’re an instant legend. Or in the case of Bob Hayes, a two-time Olympic gold medal winner once labeled the “world’s fastest human”.
Drafted with a futures pick in the seventh round of the 1964 NFL Draft, questions arose whether the world-class sprinter could make the transition to the NFL. The answer came quickly as Hayes excelled as a wide receiver for the Cowboys, using his speed to zoom past defenders.
In his first four seasons in Dallas, “Bullet Bob” racked up an incredible 4,142 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns on only 212 receptions. That was an average of 19.7 yards per catch!
Hayes was so dominant opposing defenses were forced to create the bump-and-run defensive strategy in an attempt to slow him down.
In his 11-year career, Hayes was twice the NFL’s touchdown receptions leader. He was also named to three Pro Bowls and received three All-Pro nominations. Hayes’ 71 career touchdown receptions are the second-highest all-time in Cowboys’ history.
“Bullet” Bob Hayes was also a Super Bowl champion (V). Hayes is a member of the Cowboys Ring of Honor and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame posthumously in 2009.