Leadership remains one of the most outstanding qualities for which Staubach is remembered. "But I put up with his play calling and he put up with my scrambling.” "Coach Landry wasn't happy with my scrambling," the quarterback revealed. While others appreciated Staubach's neat footwork, Tom Landry was not so impressed. As well as being one of the game's outstanding passers, Staubach was also an outstanding scrambler, gaining 2,264 yards on the ground during his 11-year career. Staubach won further NFL passing titles in 1973, 19, but was never voted to an All-Pro team. He was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl VI and provided the offensive spark in a defense-dominated victory in Super Bowl XII. He led the NFL in passing four times, was named to six Pro Bowls, and was named All-NFC four times. His 410 career rushes netted him 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns. Making Staubach particularly dangerous was his ability to scramble out of trouble. Many sports fans and professional reporters consider Staubach one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, along with Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana. This led to his being nicknamed "Captain Comeback." "Roger never knew when the game was over," said Dallas tight end Billy Joe Dupree. Seventeen of those comebacks came in the final two minutes of games. His refusal to give up lost causes meant he led the Cowboys to 23 come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter. The two Super Bowl losses marked one of the few occasions when Staubach was unable to launch one of his famed last-minute comebacks.ĭuring his career, Staubach developed a reputation for pulling out victories when defeat looked inevitable. It was the start of a career that saw Staubach become the most exciting quarterback of the seventies and made him largely responsible for the Cowboys becoming known as "America's Team." Roger led Dallas to four Super Bowls in games VI, X, XII and XIII., losing only X and XIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His first scoring toss as a professional went to Lance Rentzel, who made the touchdown. Roger managed to do more than just survive his initiation into the NFL as he fired one touchdown pass and scrambled for 140 yards. He threw his first competitive pass for Dallas in 1969, and although Staubach did not become a regular starter for Landry's side until 1971, he showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie year. Staubach kept up with the Cowboys' playbook and attended the team's training camps every year during his annual leave from the Navy (one year served in Vietnam). "I never thought we would see this Heisman Trophy winner in a Cowboys' uniform," remarked head coach Tom Landry. After being picked by the Cowboys, Staubach was forced to wait five years before breaking into the NFL in 1969 as a 27-year-old, not-so-young rookie. Most teams were scared off by his Naval commitments and he was not selected until the 10th round of the 1964 Draft. A splendid NFL career beckoned but Staubach had to finish his required service of four years with the armed forces. Navy coach Wayne Hardin called him “the greatest quarterback Navy ever had.” Staubach was one of the hottest prospects in college football in 1963. After being appointed to the Naval Academy, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy in 1963 during his junior year. He saw football as his opportunity for college. Staubach grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of a salesman. The Cowboys played in six NFC Championship Games, won four of them, and also won Super Bowls VI and XII during Staubach's career. In 1969 Roger Staubach joined the Dallas Cowboys as a 27-year-old rookie, became the starting quarterback in his third season in 1971, and for the next nine seasons he led the Dallas attack. Roger Staubach-Hall of Fame passer for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979-displayed another skill that enabled him to become one of the best to play the position. To be a success in the NFL, quarterbacks need brains, a strong, accurate arm, mobility and a certain amount of courage.
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