I’ve been a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan for as long as I can remember. You know, that team with the star, always seems to be in the spotlight, for better or worse. Anyways, today I wanna talk about something that’s been bugging me for a while – the history of the Cowboys’ middle linebackers. You know, the guys in the heart of the defense, calling the shots, making the tackles.

So, I started digging. I mean, I really went down the rabbit hole. Scouring through old articles, watching grainy footage, the whole nine yards. Turns out, the Cowboys have had some real legends manning that position.
First off, I found out that they weren’t even called the Cowboys initially! Can you believe that? Long time ago, they were called the Steers first, then the Rangers. Finally, back in 1960, they became the Cowboys. They had these amazing offenses that helped them win five Super Bowls. And one player who stood out in their history was Emmitt Smith. I mean, the guy was a beast! He rushed for more yards and touchdowns than any other running back in history.
- Emmitt Smith with 17,162 yards.
- Tony Dorsett ranks second with 12.
And who could forget about Chuck Howley? That guy was a tackling machine! I watched some old game clips, and he was all over the field. They called him the best linebacker in Cowboys history. He was part of those dominant Cowboys teams of the ’70s. I also learned that he was instrumental in many big plays, like that crazy 99-yard run by Dorsett.
Then there’s this whole list I stumbled upon, ranking the 25 best linebackers in NFL history. And guess what? A bunch of Cowboys made the cut! It’s like, our team has a legacy at that position.
My Conclusion
After all this digging, I realized something. The Cowboys’ middle linebacker position isn’t just a spot on the field. It’s a legacy. It’s about toughness, leadership, and making plays when it counts. These guys, they’re a huge part of what makes the Cowboys, well, the Cowboys. So next time you’re watching a game, and you see that middle linebacker making a big stop, remember the history, remember the legends. It’s a pretty awesome thing to be a part of.