Welcome back to our series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
We featured one of the most decorated offensive linemen in franchise history in our previous entry at No. 61, and while our selection in this slot may not quite fall into that category, we do have one of the more underrated O-linemen to ever sport a star on the side of his helmet here at No. 62.
But before we break things down, let's first have a quick look at everyone who's worn the number for America's Team over the years.
- Brian Baldinger, OL
- Bob Brotzki, OT
- Andy Cvercko, G
- Leon Donohue, G
- John Fitzgerald, C
- Don Healy, DT
- Dale Hellestrae, LS
- Marcus Henry, C
- Al Johnson, C
- Tom Myslinski, G
- Paul Oswald, G
- Craig Page, C
- Lance Poimboeuf, G
- Marco Rivera, G
- Ryan Seymour, G
- Nathan Thomas, OT
- Tony Tolbert, DE
- Mike Zentic, C
Longtime Cowboys fans undoubtedly noticed Tony Tolbert on the list, and while we'll see him down the line, he's not the call here, as the Pro Bowl defensive end who helped Dallas to three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s only wore No. 62 as a rookie in 1989 before switching to No. 92.
A name some may not recognize but deserves mention is Dale Hellestrae, who was the long snapper on those title-winning teams in the '90s. Like Tolbert, he also only sported No. 62 for one season in 1990 before switching to his more familiar No. 70.
Unlike Tolbert, though, Hellestrae won't get a featured slot once his number rolls around, as that one will obviously go to Zack Martin. And we'll shout him out there as well, but we wanted to give him his flowers here, too.
But let's stop dancing around and get to our official selection, that being John Fitzgerald.
John Fitzgerald was the center who helped Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys bring back the shotgun formation in the 1970s
A two-way tackle during his collegiate career at Boston College, Fitzgerald was taken by Dallas in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL Draft with the 101st overall selection.
The Cowboys worked him out at defensive tackle and multiple positions on the offensive line during his first training camp but waived him before the regular season began. They did bring him back on the practice squad, however, which is how he spent his first year in the pros.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder finally made his regular-season debut in 1971, serving in a reserve role at guard in helping the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory. He transitioned to center in 1972, again serving as a backup before moving into the starting role ahead of the 1973 season. And from that point on, he never came off the bench again.
In 1975, legendary head coach and obviously the namesake of our site, Tom Landry, in an effort to buy more time for superstar quarterback Roger Staubach, decided to bring back the shotgun formation, which had been dormant for roughly a decade and a half. And Fitzgerald ultimately became the foundation, as he worked diligently to perfect snapping the ball back without having to look at No. 12.
Landry's plan obviously worked, as the Dallas offense was one of the most prolific in the league for years, which helped the team to three Super Bowl appearances in the four-season stretch from 1975 to 1978.
Yes, the Cowboys lost two of those games, both heartbreaking four-point defeats to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they did win themselves a second Lombardi to close out the 1977 season with a dominant 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Injuries took their toll as the years went on, and after being forced to miss the entire 1981 season, Fitzgerald announced his retirement in early 1982.
While he never earned a single trip to the Pro Bowl or an All-Pro selection, he unquestionably deserves his due as one of the pillars of the '70s Cowboys and undoubtedly deserves this title of the best player in franchise history to wear No. 62.
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
- No. 51: Had a father who broke Muhammad Ali's jaw
- No. 52: Owns a little-known franchise record
- No. 53: Was part of the famed 'Dirty Dozen' draft
- No. 54: Owns a special piece of Super Bowl history
- No. 55: Has a special connection to Jerry Jones
- No. 56: Got stuck in between the Cowboys' two dynasties
- No. 57: Gets little credit for Super Bowl heroics
- No. 58: Was drafted under fascinating circumstances
- No. 59: Was a Bill Parcells (and fan) favorite
- No. 60: Played his final six seasons after being shot in the chest
- No. 61: One of the best undrafted players in NFL history
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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