Welcome back to our series on the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
While we've got one of the most well-known rushers in the storied history of America's Team up next at No. 33, we've got one of the more underrated runners to don a star on the side of his helmet here at No. 32.
But before we get to the reveal, let's first have a look at everyone who's worn the number for Dallas over the years.
- Corey Clement, RB
- Marcus Coleman, DB
- Rashaan Evans, LB
- Tom Franckhauser, DB
- Walt Garrison, RB/FB
- Alonzo Highsmith, RB
- Tyrone Hughes, DB
- Tim Jackson, DB
- Buddy Johnson, LB
- Jayron Kearse, S
- ReShard Lee, RB
- Donovan Olumba, CB
- Troy Pride Jr., CB
- Orlando Scandrick, DB
- Saivion Smith, CB
- Anthony Thomas, RB
- Blair Thomas, RB
- Dennis Thurman, DB
- Michael Wiley, RB
- Julius Wood, S
A pair of defensive backs deserve their flowers before we get to our winner, as Dennis Thurman racked up 36 interceptions during his eight-year run with the Cowboys from 1978 to 1985, three of which he returned for touchdowns, while Orlando Scandrick tallied 406 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, and eight picks from 2008 to 2017.
But as mentioned, we're going offense here in the form of fullback Walt Garrison, who was a cowboy in one way or another for many years.
Walt Garrison was a rodeo cowboy during his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys
A First-Team All-Big Eight selection in 1965 with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Garrison was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1966 NFL Draft with the 79th overall pick. He was also selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 17th round of the 1966 AFL Draft at No. 151 overall but opted for Dallas.
For the first few years of his career, he served as a backup running back while also serving on special teams as a kickoff returner. But after the great Don Perkins retired ahead of the 1969 season, before which the Cowboys had also drafted Calvin Hill, Garrison shifted to fullback and showed out, rushing for 818 yards and two touchdowns.
While he didn't get as many touches in 1970 with Duane Thomas coming in to complete the three-headed monster in the backfield, Garrison earned legendary status in that season's NFC Championship Game, as he rushed for 71 yards and tacked on another 51 yards on three receptions, one of which proved to be the game-winning touchdown. And that was all while dealing with a serious ankle injury and a cracked collarbone.
While the Cowboys lost the ensuing Super Bowl, they went on to win their first title the following year, and Garrison continued to show off his receiving skills, as he led the team during the 1971 season with 40 receptions. And in 1972, he had the best overall year of his career, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 784 yards and seven touchdowns and adding 390 yards and three scores on 37 receptions.
He never reached those heights again, but he remained productive over the next two years, amassing 1,395 total yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns. But ahead of the 1975 season, he was forced to retire after suffering a knee injury.
And just how did he suffer that knee injury? Well, as it turns out, in addition to playing football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Dallas Cowboys, Garrison was an actual rodeo cowboy, appearing on the pro circuit during the offseason. And Dallas knew this, as part of his original signing bonus in 1966 was an animal trailer.
In the summer of '75, though, things finally took a bad turn, and he suffered the aforementioned knee injury during a steer wrestling exhibition at the College National Rodeo Finals.
During his nine-year run with Dallas, Garrison rushed for 3,886 yards and 30 touchdowns, both of which are still good for the ninth-most in franchise history, and added 1,974 yards and nine scores on 182 receptions.
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
- No. 24: It's not the one who won Super Bowl MVP
- No. 25: Holds a unique place in Cowboys history
- No. 26: Didn't play one down of college football
- No. 27: Held a Cowboys record for nearly 50 years
- No. 28: Holds an odd team record
- No. 29: Was allowed to walk after a historic season
- No. 30: Holds a sad NFL record as a head coach
- No. 31: Got a play banned from the NFL
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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