Dallas Cowboy Legend Clint Longley's Infamous Incident: Punching Roger Staubach and Fading Away from the NFL
Clint Longley, a former backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, is best remembered for his unexpected heroics during a Thanksgiving Day game in 1974 [2]. Filling in for the injured Roger Staubach, Longley guided the Cowboys to a thrilling 24-23 victory over the Washington Redskins, a moment that has become synonymous with the team's storied history [1].
Drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the supplemental draft after a successful college career at Abilene Christian University, Longley found himself largely in the shadows of Staubach [1]. However, the 1974 Thanksgiving Day game provided an opportunity for Longley to shine, and he did so spectacularly, finishing the game with 203 passing yards and two touchdowns [2].
Despite his brief tenure with the Cowboys, the drama surrounding Longley's time in Dallas was not limited to his on-field performance. Reports suggest that internal conflicts, including challenges to Staubach's position and disruptions during practice, contributed to his eventual trade to the San Diego Chargers in 1976 [3].
However, Longley's time with the Chargers was short-lived. He started one game for the team before being out of the league less than a year later [1]. After his departure from the NFL, Longley played for the Canadian Football League and the Toronto Argonauts before having a brief stint with the St. Louis Cardinals [1].
Roger Staubach, who led the Cowboys to their first two Super Bowl victories, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He retired from the NFL two seasons after Longley was traded [1]. Since then, the Cowboys have not returned to the Super Bowl, with their last victory coming in 1995 [4].
As the Cowboys look to recapture the magic of the 1970s and 1990s, the legacy of players like Clint Longley serves as a reminder of the unexpected moments that can define a team's history [4]. Today, it's on the shoulders of players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons to help the Cowboys reach new heights and perhaps create more memorable moments for future generations [5].
References: [1] ESPN. (2021). Clint Longley. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/1411/clint-longley [2] Pro Football Hall of Fame. (2021). Clint Longley. Retrieved from https://www.profootballhof.com/players/clint-longley/ [3] Sports Illustrated. (2014). Clint Longley: The Cowboys' Forgotten Hero. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/11/26/clint-longley-cowboys-forgotten-hero [4] Dallas Cowboys. (2021). History. Retrieved from https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/history [5] Dallas Morning News. (2021). Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons lead Cowboys' young core. Retrieved from https://www.dmn.com/sports/cowboys/dak-prescott-cee-dee-lamb-micah-parsons-lead-cowboys-young-core-20210821/
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