Welcome back to our series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
We're inching closer and closer to the midway point of our journey, and while we don't have an all-time legend here at No. 46, what we do have is a player who was able to maintain a role on the vaunted Dallas defense that helped America's Team capture its first two titles in the 1970s.
But before we break things down, let's first take a look at every player who's worn No. 46 for the Cowboys over the years.
- Craig Baynham, HB
- Erik Bickerstaff, RB
- Ricky Blake, RB
- Jordan Chunn, RB
- Jon Condo, LS
- Joe Fishback, DB
- Todd Fowler, TE
- Oliver Hoyte, LB/FB
- Malik Jefferson, LB
- Alfred Morris, RB
- Nick Ralston, FB
- Les Shy, RB
- Roland Solomon, DB
- Mark Washington, DB
- James Whalen, TE
As you can see, it's not a long list, and with all due respect to those who've worn this particular number, there aren't many high-profile players here. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Alfred Morris stands out, but as his best years came with the team now known as the Washington Commanders, he's not the call.
Instead, that honor goes to defensive back Mark Washington.
Mark Washington got lit up by Lynn Swann in Super Bowl 10
An All-CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) selection in 1969 at Morgan State, which was then a member of what was called the NCAA College Division, which split into Division II and Division III a few years later, Washington was taken by Dallas in the 13th round of the 1970 NFL Draft with the 335th overall selection.
Playing mostly cornerback when on the field with the defense, he had a solid season in a reserve role as a rookie, recording one interception.
But he proved to be very valuable on special teams at times, returning five kickoffs for 242 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown against Washington, and then blocking a field goal in the Cowboys' 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 5.
A preseason knee injury in 1971 limited him to just two games during Dallas' run toward the team's first title in 1971, and while he was given chances to start over the next few years, he didn't crack the starting lineup on a regular basis until midway through the 1974 season.
Washington remained the starter at left corner for the 1975 campaign and started every game for the Cowboys that year, tallying a career-high four interceptions in helping Dallas get back to the Super Bowl.
However, during that title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was on the wrong end of each of Lynn Swann's four catches, which went for a total of 161 yards.
And these were highlight-reel grabs that Swann made, one of which is one of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history, as he caught the ball while falling to the ground.
And the last one went for a 64-yard touchdown that helped the Steelers to a 21-17 victory. To his credit, Washington was all over Swann all afternoon, but the future Hall of Famer was simply better.
At the time, no wide receiver had ever gone for more yards in a Super Bowl, nor had one ever won Super Bowl MVP. So, Washington was on the wrong side of history that day.
While he was never a full-time starter after that, he remained with the team for three more seasons and did get himself a better Big Game memory by recording an interception in the Cowboys' 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 12.
In nine seasons with Dallas, Washington tallied 13 interceptions, not including that one in the Super Bowl, before playing one final year with the New England Patriots in 1979.
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
- No. 42: Went from undrafted to a defensive captain
- No. 43: The true anchor of the 1970s Dallas defense
- No. 44: Wasn't the typical NFL fullback
- No. 45: Lost his job to a future Super Bowl MVP
This list will be updated daily until all 100 entries are complete, so please be sure to bookmark this page or check back in with The Landry Hat for updates.
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