Welcome back to our series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
So, let's just get this out of the way right here at the start; No. 45 simply doesn't carry any sort of legendary legacy for America's Team. Truth be told, the same can be said for just about every NFL franchise outside of a select few, as only three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame have ever worn it, those being Kenny Easley, Emlen Tunnell, and Bill Willis.
Nevertheless, we've still got a job to do, so let's have a look at everyone who's worn No. 45 for the Cowboys over the years.
- Justin Barron, LB
- Shaun Chapas, RB
- Dick Daniels, DB
- L.G. Dupre, HB
- Richmond Flowers, DB
- Manny Hendrix, DB
- Sewo Olonilua, RB
- Matt Overton, LS
- Larry Robinson, RB
- Rod Smith, RB
- Mike Solwold, LS
- Nicky Sualua, RB
- Steve Wilson, CB/WR
- Rolly Woolsey, DB
If forced to pick a runner-up, the call would be running Rod Smith, who filled in nicely when injuries forced Ezekiel Elliott out a few games during the 2017 season.
In a four-week stretch that year from Weeks 12 to 15, Smith tallied 269 total yards from scrimmage (128 rushing, 141 receiving) and scored five total touchdowns in helping Dallas to a 3-1 record during that stretch.
Granted, that four-week stretch accounted for 42.6 percent of his offensive output in his four-year run with the team, but it was a nice month nonetheless. But it also tells you what we're up against with this number.
As for our official selection, that honor goes to defensive back Manny Hendrix, who deserves all the respect in the world for putting together a nice little NFL career despite not playing a single down of college football.
Manny Hendrix was a college basketball star before spending six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys
While Hendrix earned All-State honors in football as a cornerback at South Mountain High School in Phoenix, he also earned All-State honors as a point guard on the basketball team and chose to pursue that sport at the collegiate level, accepting a scholarship to the University of Utah.
And he was certainly a solid player, helping the Utes to a pair of appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his four-year run with the team and earning Second-Team All-WAC honors as a senior in 1985-86.
While Hendrix never played a single down of college football, Cowboys head coach Tom Landry, who'd already found success with several players who'd chosen basketball over football at that level, liked his athleticism and signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1986.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder was never supposed to be a superstar, but he was a solid contributor at cornerback in a reserve role and actually worked his way into the starting lineup in 1990, which was his best season, as he tallied an interception, a forced fumble, and 65 total tackles.
But Hendrix didn't last long as a starter, as he lost his spot just a few weeks into the 1991 season to rookie Larry Brown, who ultimately started at right cornerback for the duration of the Dallas dynasty that won three titles in four years and took Super Bowl 30 MVP honors after tallying two interceptions in the Cowboys' 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hendrix never got himself a ring, as he was left unprotected in what was then called Plan B free agency following that '91 campaign. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers in April 1992 but was cut in July, and then spent some time with the Buffalo Bills but was part of final cuts ahead of the regular season, at which point he retired.
Hendrix ultimately played 89 regular-season games and two postseason contests for Dallas, which is undoubtedly admirable for a guy who was away from football for four years. And it was enough to earn him this title of the best Cowboys player to wear No. 45.
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
- No. 33: Holds an NFL record that can't be broken
- No. 34: Was drafted into the NBA (but not the NFL)
- No. 35: Has a son who's an NBA Hall of Famer
- No. 36: Was a strong special-teamer (when healthy)
- No. 37: Showed out in the Super Bowl (twice)
- No. 38: Had a solid career after going undrafted
- No. 39: Was on the wrong end of a famous play
- No. 40: Forced the NFL to change the Pro Bowl
- No. 41: Owns an impressive NFL playoff record
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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