The Dallas Cowboys Quarterbacks Through the Years

The Dallas Cowboys are obviously one of theSteve Pelleur. The end of the decade saw what
most popular franchises in the National Footballsome believe to be the unceremonious dumping
League for a reason. The team established aof the legendary Tom Landry and the hiring of
tradition of winning under legendary head coachthe brash Jimmy Johnson. Many other changes
Tom Landry and that tradition survived thecame to the team and a new starting
transition to Jimmy Johnson during the earlyquarterback was just one of them as rookie
1990s. Through the years not only have theTroy Aikman would helm the squad to a 1-15
Cowboys teams been popular and fan favorites,record in 1989.
the Cowboys quarterbacks have also receivedThe 1990s
more than their fair share of attention as well.Aikman would eventually lead a team featuring
Let's take a look at the Dallas Cowboysother star players including running back Emmitt
quarterbacks through the years.Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin to win three
The 1960sSuper Bowl victories in four years. Many football
The franchise was born in 1960 as an NFLexperts have called this mid 1990s Dallas
expansion team and at the starting quarterbackCowboys teams one of the best teams in history.
position was veteran quarterback Eddie LeBaron.Aikman would remain at the helm through the
After a few years, backup quarterback "Dandy"rest of the decade and though they didn't return
Don Meredith emerged to become the regularto the big game, they were always considered a
starter. He was popular with the fans and wouldteam that others had to worry about.
stay at the helm of the team until a strongThe 2000s
armed youngster was able to get his chance atFollowing one season in the new decade, Troy
the end of the decade.Aikman would call it a career too and fade into
The 1970sthe memories of the past. For the first time in
All through the 1970s, Roger Staubach was theteam history, there wasn't a clean transition when
face of the Dallas Cowboys and was a keyit came to the Cowboys starting quarterback
reason the team became successful on the field.after Troy Aikman's retirement. The Cowboys
Staubach had a reputation as a good person oftried Quincy Carter, Anthony Wright, Ryan Leaf,
high quality to go along with his tremendousClint Stoerner, Chad Hutchinson, Vinny
athletic ability. It was a sad day following the 1979Testaverde, Drew Henson, and Drew Bledsoe at
season when "Roger The Dodger" announced hisstarting quarterbacks from 2001 through 2006
retirement and the team turned its quarterbackingbefore finding Tony Romo who would be their
duties over to of all people... a punter.next quarterback to start consistently.
The 1980sBecause the Dallas Cowboys are one of the most
Danny White had been the backup quarterback topopular teams in the history of the NFL, the
Staubach for a number of years and during thatstarting quarterback for the team has also
time also served as the team's punter. This madeconsistently been one of the more popular
the Cowboys a dangerous team when heplayers. Playing quarterback for the Cowboys is
emerged as the starter in 1981 because when itsimilar to playing shortstop for the New York
was fourth down, no one was ever sure if theyYankees or center for the Los Angeles Lakers,
were going to go for it or actually punt the ball. Inmost people know exactly who the person
the mid 1980s a quarterback controversyplaying that position is even if they aren't a big
developed in Dallas when young Gary Hogeboomsports fan themselves. Watching the evolution of
joined the team. This controversy didn't last longthe quarterbacks of the Dallas Cowboys will
as Hogeboom eventually moved on to the Coltscontinue to fascinating as the years go by,
and the Cowboys drafted a new youngwithout a doubt there will be more great ones to
quarterback who would get a shot at starting,come.