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 kicked off the second half of our journey at No. 50 with a linebacker who won a pair of Super Bowl titles with America's Team, and here at No. 51, we've got a linebacker who won a pair of Super Bowl titles with America's Team. So, that's fun.
But before we break things down, of course, let's first have a look at everyone who's donned the digit for Dallas over the years.
- Keith Adams, LB
- Akin Ayodele, LB
- Anthony Barr, LB
- Tom Braatz, LB
- Keith Brooking, LB
- Earnest Brown IV, DE
- Anthony Dickerson, LB
- Kevin Hardy, LB
- Lynn Hoyem, OL
- Kerry Hyder, DE
- Dale Jones, LB
- Dave Manders, C
- Ken Norton Jr., LB
- Adam Redmond, G
- Caraun Reid, DT
- Alshermond Singleton, LB
- Russ Swan, LB
- Broderick Thomas, LB/DE
- Kyle Wilber, LB
This was actually a pretty tough call, as we gave a long look at center Dave Manders, who appeared in 152 games between the regular season and postseason for the Cowboys from 1964 to 1974, earning one trip to the Pro Bowl and helping the team to their first championship at the conclusion of the 1971 campaign.
In the end, though, we gave the nod to Ken Norton Jr., who wasn't with the Cowboys nearly as long but certainly made his mark on the franchise.
Ken Norton Jr. was the leader of the defense that helped the Dallas Cowboys win their first two Super Bowls in the 1990s
Before we get to the younger version, we naturally have to make mention of his father, Ken Norton, who is one of the top heavyweight boxers of all time and won multiple titles in the 1970s. He's best known for the first of his three fights with the legendary Muhammad Ali, which took place in 1973 for the NABF heavyweight crown.
In the second round, Norton broke Ali's jaw and ultimately went on to win a split decision, thus handing Ali just the second loss of his career.
"The Greatest" won the rematch six months later, also by split decision, and while many believe Norton won the third fight after giving Ali an absolute beating, Ali, who held the WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight crowns at the time, was awarded the victory by unanimous decision. Norton retired in 1981 with a career record of 42-7-1, earning 33 wins by way of knockout.
As for Ken Norton Jr., following a stellar career at UCLA, where he was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection and earned First-Team All-American honors in his final year with the Bruins in 1987, he was taken by Dallas in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft with the 41st overall selection, thus making him one of Tom Landry's final picks.
His one season with Landry was limited to just three games due a broken thumb, none of which he started, but once Jimmy Johnson took over in 1989, Norton started each of the 84 games in which he appeared between the regular season and postseason before departing Dallas after helping the team to back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1992 and 1993.
The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder led the team in tackles in both of those title-winning campaigns, racking up 120 in '92 and a career-high 159 in '93 en route to earning a Second-Team All-Pro selection. In six seasons with the Cowboys, Norton tallied 579 total tackles, 7.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and an interception.
Following the 1993 season, Norton was allowed to walk into free agency and ultimately signed with the rival San Francisco 49ers, who took down Dallas in the 1994 NFC Championship Game and then went on to beat the then-San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl 29. As such, Norton became the first player ever to win three Super Bowls in a row.
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
- No. 46: Was on the wrong side of Super Bowl history
- No. 47: Was an HBCU star before a 7-year NFL career
- No. 48: Was beloved despite not posting big numbers
- No. 49: Was a solid pass blocker and special-teamer
- No. 50: Made an iconic quote about America's Team
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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