Welcome back to our series on the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
Our last entry at No. 33 covered an all-time offensive legend for America's Team, and we've got a defensive legend here at No. 34, although this particular player doesn't get anywhere near the credit he deserves. But before we break things down, let's first have a look at every player who's donned this digit for Dallas over the years.
- Tommie Agee, RB
- Mackensie Alexander, CB
- Deon Anderson, FB
- Larry Brown, DB
- Malik Davis, RB
- Treston Decoud, CB
- Fred Doelling, DB
- Merrill Douglas, HB
- Rico Dowdle, RB
- Cornell Green, DB
- Monty Hunter, DB
- Tim Lester, RB
- Jamar Martin, FB
- Aaron Mitchell, DB
- Tony Parrish, DB
- Shavon Revel Jr., CB
- Phillip Tanner, RB
- Jalen Thompson, S
- Herschel Walker, RB
It's impossible not to notice the final name on that list, that being Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, who ultimately spent parts of six seasons with the Cowboys, first from 1986 to 1989 and then again in 1996 and 1997.
But while he picked up a pair of Pro Bowl nods in '87 and '88, racking up 3,625 total yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns between those two seasons, he'll forever be best remembered among Dallas fans as the center of the lopsided trade in '89 with the Minnesota Vikings that allowed Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson to build the team that won three Super Bowls in the four-season stretch from 1992 to 1995.
But Walker obviously isn't our choice for this slot. As mentioned, we're rolling with a defensive player here, and that player is none other than the great Cornell Green.
Cornell Green joined the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the 1962 NBA Draft
For those unfamiliar with his story, Green actually didn't play a single down of college football, as his sport of choice was basketball. And he was certainly good at it, earning All-American honors in both 1961 and 1962 at Utah State, which led to him being selected in the fifth round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Zephyrs, who are now the Washington Wizards.
Nevertheless, on the recommendation of Utah State's basketball coach, LaDell Anderson, the Cowboys signed Green to a $1,000 contract and brought him to training camp, thinking his athleticism would make him a solid defensive back. Green actually had no intention of playing in the NFL, as he just wanted some quick cash and figured he'd be cut after a week.
But that didn't happen, as he impressed Tom Landry and the rest of the coaching staff and earned himself an actual contract, obviously opting to forgo his NBA career for one in the NFL. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Despite starting just three games in 1962, Green still made the All-Rookie Team, and when given the chance to start all 14 games the following year, he proved to be one of the top cornerbacks in the league, recording seven interceptions.
As the Cowboys continued to improve in the early years of the franchise, Green only got better as well. In the five-season stretch from 1965 to 1969, during which Dallas made a pair of appearances in the NFL Championship Game, the Oklahoma City native earned three trips to the Pro Bowl and four All-Pro selections (three First Team, one Second Team).
And after switching to safety in 1970, he earned two additional trips to the Pro Bowl, the first of which came in the 1971 season that resulted in the Cowboys' first Super Bowl victory.
When he retired just ahead of the 1975 season, Green, who never missed one single game throughout his 13-year career, by the way, had tallied 34 career interceptions, which remain tied for the fifth-most in franchise history (now sixth). He was also a menace on special teams, and his 10 career blocked kicks (eight field goals, two punts) are still the most by any Cowboys player in history.
So, as you can see, this was an easy call to make.
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
- No. 32: Was also an actual cowboy
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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