Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys started up in 1960, and like any expansion team, they stunk – finishing with a 0-11-1 record. After posting losing records in their first 5 seasons, they finished at 7-7 in 1965. 

 

1966 was their first winning season (10-3-1), and their first of 8 consecutive playoff appearances, winning their division every season from 1966-71. After missing the post-season in 1974, they made it back for the next 9 seasons. 

 

During their 20-year string of winning seasons (1966-85) under Tom Landry, they appeared in five Super Bowls, winning two. 

 

Don Meredith and Chuck Howley are 2 of the 6 player cards I still need for this set. Of the other Cowboys' cards, I have had the Bob Hayes and Bob Lilly cards since the late-1960s, but got the rest in the past year.

 

Don Meredith was the Bears’ 3rd-round pick in 1960, but was traded to the Cowboys during training camp. He was the Cowboys’ starting QB from midway through 1962 until he retired following the 1968 season. He made the Pro Bowl in his final 3 seasons. 

 

Don Perkins was drafted by the Colts in 1960, and traded to the Cowboys shortly afterwards. He did not play in 1960, but was a starter for the Cowboys from 1961-68 (4 seasons at halfback, then switching to fullback in 1965). He made the Pro Bowl in his first 3 and last 3 seasons, and was named first-team All-Pro in 1962. 

 

Frank Clarke was drafted by the Browns in 1956. After 3 seasons as a backup end, he joined the Cowboys in 1960. A part-time player in 1960, he was their starting flanker from 1962-64, and starting tight end in 1965. Clarke led the NFL in receiving TDs in 1962, and was named first-team All-Pro in 1964. He finished his career as a backup for the Cowboys from 1966-67. 

 

Pete Gent – An undrafted free agent, Gent played for the Cowboys from 1964-68, and was their starting flanker in ’65 and ’66. 

 

Bob Hayes was drafted by the Cowboys in 1964, and was their starting split end every season from 1965-71, and again in 1973. After riding the Dallas bench in 1974, he played 4 games for the 49ers in 1975. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. 

 

Mike Connelly – Drafted by the Rams in 1959, Connelly was a backup guard for the Cowboys in 1960 and 1965-66, and their starting center from 1961-64 and again in 1967. He finished his career in 1968 as the Steelers’ backup center. 

 

Danny Villanueva was the Rams’ kicker from 1960-63, and their punter from 1960-64. He kicked and punted for the Cowboys from 1965-67. 

 

*Willie Townes was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cowboys in 1966, and was their starting left defensive end for his first 2 seasons. After one more season with Dallas he finished up with the Saints in 1970. 

 

George Andrie – The Cowboys’ 6th pick in 1962, Andrie was a starting defensive end for his first 10 seasons. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 1965-69. He retired after playing 3 games for the Cowboys in 1972. 

 

Bob Lilly was the Cowboys’ 1st pick in the 1961 draft. He started EVERY game for the Cowboys over his 14-year career, at left defensive end for 3 seasons, before moving to right defensive tackle. Lilly was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. 

 

Chuck Howley was the Bears’ 1st-round pick in 1958, and was their backup linebacker for his first 2 seasons. After missing the 1960 season, he was a starting outside linebacker for the Cowboys for the next 12 seasons, making 6 Pro Bowls and having 5 first-team All-Pro selections. He was also named the MVP of Super Bowl V, despite the Cowboys losing. Howley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. 

 

Cornell Green – An undrafted free agent, Green joined the Cowboys in 1962. After starting only 5 games in his rookie season, he started every game for the next 12 seasons. Initially the left cornerback, he moved to strong safety in 1970 when the Cowboys acquired Herb Adderley. Green was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 2-time first-team All-Pro selection. 

 

Mel Renfro was the Cowboys’ 2nd-round pick in 1964, and was a starting defensive back for his first 13 seasons (although missing 5 games in each of ’67 and ’76. He was also a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first 10 seasons. The free safety for his first 6 seasons, he moved to right cornerback in 1970 in the defensive backfield shuffle mentioned in Green’s write-up above. Renfro finished his career in 1977 as a backup corner. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. 

 

Mike Gaechter played for the Cowboys from 1962-69. The starting left corner as a rookie, he spent the rest of his career at strong safety, starting in 1963 and from 1966-69. 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

Hall of Famers - 4

 

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