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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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Cowboys, Everson Walls
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 4: Defensive back Everson Walls #24 of the Dallas Cowboys defends on a pass to wide receiver Louis Lipps #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 4, 1988 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

3: Everson Walls, DB (1981-89)

The case for greatness:

Many Cowboys fans learned some of Walls’ exploits this past season when Trevon Diggs tied Walls’ single-season interception record, however, I don’t think the majority of Cowboys fans realize just how good Walls was.

Walls could easily be considered the greatest cover corner of the 1980s, earning three All-Pro and four Pro Bowl nods. To go along with that, he also led the league in interceptions three different times. The only other player that has accomplished that feat was the great Ed Reed.

Walls is tied with five others for 13th all-time in interceptions, with 57 career interceptions. While he did get beat from time to time, it was clear he was one of the top corners in the league for an entire decade and that deserves recognition. Not many corners average seven interceptions a year during their prime.

Why he’s underappreciated:

Of the 19 players with more than 56 career interceptions, only three of them are not in the Hall of Fame, and Walls is one of them. He has rarely been mentioned in Hall of Fame debates, nor is he in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor.

It is a shame that a player of this stature is relatively unknown throughout the likes of Cowboys lore. He wasn’t the flashiest of players and he wasn’t superbly athletically gifted, but perhaps he was a bit ahead of his time with his ball skills. His greatest ability was intercepting the football. An integral part of some of the best Cowboys teams ever, it’s criminal that Walls hasn’t received the respect he deserves.

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