Welcome back to The Landry Hat's series highlighting the greatest Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
Well, we've reached the end of the 70s, and we've come to one of those instances where we flat-out hate having to pick a winner, as there are two extremely deserving players for this slot here at No. 79.
But if you've been following along on our journey, you know that the one big rule I had coming into this endeavor was that, under no circumstances, would there be one single tie throughout the entire series. So, without further ado, let's get things rolling by first looking at every player who's worn No. 79 for America's Team over the years.
- Ben Bass, DE
- Michael Bennett, DE
- Kenneth Boatright, DE
- Robert Brewster, G
- Willie Broughton, DT
- Sal Cesario, OT
- Char-ron Dorsey, OT
- Ron East, DL
- Ken Frost, DT
- Chaz Green, OT
- Forrest Gregg, G
- Justin Hamilton, DT
- John Hunt, OT
- Marcellus Johnson, OT
- Dick Klein, OT
- Harvey Martin, DE
- Marques McFadden, G
- Ty Nsekhe, OT
- Rob Petitti, OT
- Jacob Rogers, OT
- Daryle Smith, OT
- Larry Stephens, DE
- Matt Waletzko, OL
- Erik Williams, OT
In the runner-up position, we've got offensive tackle Erik Williams, who was taken by the Cowboys in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft with the 70th overall selection.
The Central State alum backed up Nate Newton at right tackle as a rookie, but the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder was so impressive during training camp ahead of the 1992 season that head coach Jimmy Johnson moved Newton to left guard, with Williams sliding into the starting lineup at right tackle.
In 10 seasons with the Cowboys, the Philadelphia native helped Dallas win three Super Bowls and earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and a pair of First-Team All-Pro selections, with the last three of those Pro Bowl selections and the second All-Pro nod coming after a 1994 auto accident that not only nearly ended his career but nearly took his life.
So, with Williams taking the second-place slot at No. 79, the first-place finisher, of course, is none other than the great Harvey Martin.
Harvey Martin earned both Defensive Player of the Year and co-Super Bowl MVP honors in 1977
After a solid collegiate career at East Texas State, Martin, who was a Dallas native, by the way, was taken by the Cowboys in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft with the 53rd overall selection.
Given the talent the team already had at defensive end at that time, the 6-foot-5, 260-pounder spent the first two years of his pro career in a reserve role. But even coming off the bench, he still tallied a combined 16.5 sacks over those two seasons, giving opposing offensive lines just a little taste of what was to come over the next nine years.
Martin became a full-time starter in 1975, recording another 9.5 sacks, and in 1976, he earned the first of four consecutive Pro Bowl selections, while also earning Second-Team All-Pro honors after racking up another 14.5 sacks.
But it was 1977 when he reached legendary status, as he had one of the best seasons of any defender in NFL history, taking Defensive Player of the Year honors after posting another 20.0 sacks and then earning co-MVP honors alongside Randy White after recording another pair of sacks in the Cowboys' dominant 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 12.
To this day, that remains the only time that co-MVPs were chosen for the Super Bowl.
If you haven't figured it out, Martin had a knack for getting to the quarterback, and when the four-time All-Pro retired after the 1983 season, he'd tallied 114.0 for his career during the regular season, which were the most in team history at the time and are still good for the second-most behind only DeMarcus Ware's 117.0.
So, while it's a shame that Williams doesn't make the big list, you can see why we had to roll with Martin, right?
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
- No. 62: Helped bring back a forgotten formation
- No. 63: Doesn't get his 'Doomsday Defense' due
- No. 64: Is a member of a highly exclusive club
- No. 65: Is a forgotten five-time Pro Bowler
- No. 66: Stepped up when it mattered most
- No. 67: Belongs to an exclusive O-line club
- No. 68: Allowed the team to trade an all-time great
- No. 69: Was the largest player in his draft class
- No. 70: Will soon join the second-best in Canton
- No. 71: Went to high school with Barack Obama
- No. 72: Had the most appropriate nickname ever
- No. 73: The strongest player in NFL history
- No. 74: Was the first member of the Ring of Honor
- No. 75: Was consistently robbed of accolades
- No. 76: Highest offensive line draftee in Cowboys history
- No. 77: Has a historic connection to Jerry Jones
- No. 78: Isn't remembered for his Super Bowl heroics
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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