The Landry Hat
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The 5 most underappreciated players in Cowboys history

By Quenten Radford

Jan 30, 1994; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas (34) in action against Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson (28) during Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome. Dallas defeated Buffalo 30-13. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 1994; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas (34) in action against Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson (28) during Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome. Dallas defeated Buffalo 30-13. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley intercepts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the Cowboys 24-3 victory in Super Bowl VI on January 16, 1972 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Fred Roe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley intercepts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the Cowboys 24-3 victory in Super Bowl VI on January 16, 1972 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Fred Roe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

4. Chuck Howley, LB (1961-73)

The case for greatness:

Howley was a five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro-Bowler outside linebacker who was fantastic in space. He intercepted 25 balls and had 18 fumble recoveries in his career. Being the only player on a losing team to win the Super Bowl MVP, Howley was phenomenal in big-time games, intercepting three balls in two Super Bowls, and having multiple other big-game performances.

Howley did everything on the field well, and was a mainstay on the early Cowboys teams, helping them emerge to relevancy. He also made a big fan of Tom Landry as well, as the famous coach once said “I don’t know that I’ve seen anybody better at linebacker than Howley.”

Why he’s underappreciated:

Much of why Howley is underappreciated comes down to two different reasons: First, he played on some very bad Cowboys teams early in his career since he was traded to the Cowboys in only their second year of existence after becoming an expansion team in 1960. Secondly, stats were counted differently back in that era, and certain stats (like sacks) were not recorded at all.

So, Howley, while not considered a sack machine, reportedly held his own rushing the quarterback very well and ended up with an unofficial sack total of 26.5 sacks. All of this leads to his numbers not being as eye-popping as they could’ve been, which is probably why he was a Hall of Fame snub, despite being in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. Many consider it a travesty that he has continued to be looked over.

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