Welcome back to our 100-part series covering the greatest Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
We're not going to beat around the bush here at the get-go, as we've got several strong options from which to choose at No. 26. So, without further ado, let's have a look at everyone who's donned this particular digit for America's Team over the years.
- Herb Adderley, CB
- Will Allen, DB
- DaRon Bland, CB
- Andrew Davison, DB
- Buddy Dial, WR
- Michael Downs, S
- Abram Elam, DB
- Aaron Glenn, CB
- Ken Hamlin, S
- Darius Jackson, RB
- Josh Jones, S
- Jourdan Lewis, CB
- Sterling Moore, CB
- Paul Palmer, RB
- Tyler Patmon, CB
- Preston Pearson, RB
- Charlie Peprah, DB
- Kevin Smith, CB
From an overall standpoint, the best player on this list is Hall of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley. But as he made his name with the Green Bay Packers, playing just the final three of his 12 NFL seasons in Dallas, he's out.
Sticking with defensive backs, we were really close to putting safety Michael Downs in this slot, as his 34 interceptions for Dallas from 1981 to 1988 were good for the fifth-most in franchise history and remain the fifth-most in franchise history to this day.
Cornerback Kevin Smith also got a long look, as he was a solid piece of the Dallas defense that helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls in the 1990s. And, of course, we had to look at DaRon Bland, who could one day take this spot if he ever regains the magic he had when he earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2023 after leading the NFL with nine interceptions, an NFL-record five of which he returned for touchdowns.
At the end of the day, though, we opted to roll with a running back, one that was never really the guy for the Cowboys but did so much for Tom Landry's offense in the late 1970s. And that running back is Preston Pearson.
Preston Pearson retired with the most receptions by a running back in Dallas Cowboys history
Despite playing only basketball at the University of Illinois, Pearson was taken in the 12th round of the 1967 draft by the Baltimore Colts, as Don Shula liked his athleticism. The goal was to make him a defensive back, but that didn't last long, as he was moved to running back in 1968 and also spent plenty of time playing special teams as a kick and punt returner.
After three seasons with the Colts, Pearson joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he spent five seasons and won a Super Bowl, and by the time he joined the Cowboys as a free agent in 1975, he'd become one of the most versatile backs in the NFL.
As mentioned above, Pearson was never viewed as the guy in the Cowboys' backfield, as he first played second fiddle to Robert Newhouse, then to Doug Dennison, and then to the great Tony Dorsett. But when Roger Staubach needed his receiving skills in third-and-long situations, Pearson became the go-to guy. Now, certain backs had obviously been used often in those situations, but Pearson is credited by many as the one who genuinely defined the "third-down back" term. And if he wasn't getting the ball in those situations, he was hitting someone, as he was a fantastic blocker as well.
In six seasons with the Cowboys, Pearson may have only rushed for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns, but he caught 189 passes (the most by a running back in team history at that time and still among the top 10) for 2,274 yards and 11 scores. And that was only during the regular season, as he had his share of strong playoff performances as well.
For example, in the 1975 NFC Championship Game, he recorded a game-high seven receptions for 123 yards with three touchdowns as Dallas dominated the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 37-7. To this day, no other player has scored more than three receiving touchdowns in an NFC title game, and only one other player has matched Pearson's mark, that being Larry Fitzgerald for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 playoffs.
While not quite as impressive, Pearson also had a team-high five receptions a couple of years later when Dallas defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 12. In 13 total postseason appearances for the Cowboys, he ran the ball 43 times for 135 yards with no touchdowns but caught 43 passes for 504 yards with three scores.
Pearson may not get mentioned as much as he should among the all-time great Cowboys running backs, but he definitely deserves this slot as the best player in franchise history to wear No. 26. Not bad for a guy who didn't play a single down of college football.
Other Dallas Cowboys jersey honorees
- No. 0: Well, there's literally only one option here
- No. 1: Quietly one of Dallas' better special teams weapons
- No. 2: He once stood alone in the record books
- No. 3: This player needed just one season to make his mark
- No. 4: This is a no-brainer
- No. 5: This player has the third-most points in Cowboys history
- No. 6: The winner here just edged out a Pro Bowl history maker
- No. 7: Fizzled fast after his big payday
- No. 8: Member of an elite Super Bowl club
- No. 9: Doesn't get the credit he deserves
- No. 10: Also played professional basketball
- No. 11: No, it's not Micah Parsons
- No. 12: Didn't begin his Hall of Fame career until age 27
- No. 13: Was a solid WR2 (until he wasn't)
- No. 14: Led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance
- No. 15: Won multiple titles in another sport
- No. 16: Helped a legend score his first NFL TD
- No. 17: The Cowboys' first true franchise QB
- No. 18: Still holds a team record after 30-plus years
- No. 19: Might surprise some people
- No. 20: The Cowboys' all-time interceptions leader
- No. 21: This player was always 'Prime Time' entertainment
- No. 22: The only NFL MVP in Cowboys history
- No. 23: Was a key role player for Tom Landry
This list will be updated daily until all 100 entries are complete, so please be sure to check back in with The Landry Hat for updates.
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