Cowboys faced a shock after the team’s humbling loss against the 49ers, a much larger one. A shock that left not only the Cowboys but the whole of the NFL stunned. The news of one of the ‘toughest’ Cowboys being no more left the NFL community deeply saddened. Walt Garrison is fondly remembered as the one who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys back in 1972. The ‘off-season rodeo’ passed away at the age of 79, as reported by the NFL website.
At this time, the cause of death is not revealed. The Oklahoma State Cowboy, who led the Big Eight in rushing, played nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, before retiring in 1974. The Texas Cowboy Hall of Famer remains on Dallas’ all-time list at number 4. Yet, it’s not the achievements that count, it’s the love that the athlete has earned among his fans and teammates. It is safe to say that Garrison had that in abundance, as NFL’s Captain America joins the world in mourning.
NFL’s ‘Captain America’ had heart-warming words for Walt Garrison
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Roger Staubach, also known as Captain America, expressed his thoughts on the demised NFL player. He said, “The toughest man I’ve ever seen, on and off the field. He played in a game with a broken collarbone and a mile of athletic tape.” The title of being the toughest man, coming from a person who served four years in the US Navy, after which he led his team to victory in not only one but two Super Bowls, is no joke.
In 1981 when I asked Roger Staubach about Walt Garrison, he said…"The toughest man I've ever seen, on and off the field. He played in a game with a broken collarbone and a mile of athletic tape."
Walt Garrison, my favorite Dallas Cowboy, died yesterday at the age of 79. pic.twitter.com/PF1wytP4xk— Butch Baker (@TheButchBaker) October 12, 2023
However, Garrison deserved every single bit of this respect. As mentioned by Roger “The Dodger” Staubach, Walt Garrison played the 1970 NFC Championship with a broken collarbone. This is just one among the many adventures Garrison had with the Cowboys throughout his nine years with them.
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Walt Garrison and the Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys drafted Garrison in the 1966 NFL draft in the 5th round. Although he was drafted by the Chiefs as well in the same year, Garrison joined hands with the Cowboys with a horse trailer as a negotiated contract part, a true rodeo player by heart. Garrison proved to be an absolute treasure for the then Cowboys’ coach, Tom Landry.
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Furthermore, Garrison and his Cowboys also participated in Super Bowl V and VI, lifting the ring of Super Bowl VI with the Dallas Cowboys. Along with being on the Texas Sports Hall of Fame list, Garrison was also a part of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Even though Garrison is no more, he has left a legacy behind that will be cherished in the history of the NFL.
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