The 50 Greatest Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are currently playing their 50th season in the National Football League. That really makes me feel old, since I have been a fan since their very first league game. I have supported them through good times and bad, and I have watched or listened to (radio for blacked-out games) every game they have played, except one -- the day in September 2005 when I was shot by a carjacker and in surgery when the game was being played.

So suffice it to say, I was very interested when the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published their list of the 50 greatest Cowboys players. It's hard to argue with the list of players they have chosen (although I would have put Bob Lilly at number one and moved Bob Hayes into the top five).

I am also a bit surprised that Preston Pearson is not on the list. I still think he's the best third down player the Cowboys have ever had. But I don't know who I'd knock off the list to include him -- they've all earned their way on the list. What do you think? Here is their list of the top 50 players:

1. Roger Staubach, QB (1969-79)

2. Bob Lilly, DT (1961-74)

3. Troy Aikman, QB (1989-2000)

4. Tony Dorsett, RB (1977-87)

5. Emmitt Smith, RB (1990-2002)

6. Don Meredith, QB (1960-68)

7. Mel Renfro, DB (1964-77)

8. Rayfield Wright, OT (1967-79)

9. Randy White, DT (1975-88)

10. Bob Hayes, WR (1965-74)

11. Lee Roy Jordan, LB (1963-76)

12. Chuck Howley, LB (1961-73)

13. Ed Jones, DE (1974-78, 80-89)

14. Drew Pearson, WR (1973-83)

15. Michael Irvin, WR (1988-99)

16. Cliff Harris, DB (1970-79)

17. Cornell Green, DB (1962-74)

18. Don Perkins, RB (1961-68)

19. Jethro Pugh, DT (1965-78)

20. Harvey Martin, DE (1973-83)

21. Calvin Hill, RB (1969-74)

22. DeMarcus Ware, LB (2005-present)

23. Frank Clarke, WR (1960-67)

24. Charlie Waters, DB (1970-81)

25. Larry Allen, OT (1994-2005)

26. John Niland, OG (1966-74)

27. Pettis Norman, TE (1962-70)

28. Walt Garrison, RB (1966-74)

29. George Andrie, DE (1962-72)

30. Ralph Neely, OT (1965-77)

31. Jay Novacek, TE (1990-96)

32. Jason Witten, TE (2003-present)

33. Billy Joe Dupree, TE (1973-83)

34. Danny White, QB (1976-88)

35. Jim Jeffcoat, DE (1983-94)

36. Darren Woodson, DB (1992-2003)

37. Nate Newton, OG (1986-98)

38. Deion Sanders, DB (1995-99)

39. Charles Haley, DE (1992-96)

40. Thomas Henderson, LB (1975-79)

41. Everson Walls, DB (1981-89)

42. Larry Cole, DT (1968-80)

43. Pat Donovan, OT (1975-83)

44. Bob Breunig, LB (1975-84)

45. Bill Bates, DB (1983-97)

46. Herschel Walker, RB (1986-89, 96-97)

47. Dan Reeves, RB (1965-72)

48. Darryl Johnston, RB (1989-99)

49. D.D. Lewis, LB (1968-81)

50. Danny Villanueva, K-P (1965-67)

That is a truly fantastic list of players. I would happily put them up against the top 50 players of any other team in the league.

Please go to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article for pictures and bios.