The 1975 Season

Record: 10-4
2nd in NFC Eastern Division
NFC Champion

Synopsis:

The 1975 did not begin with a lot of optimism. Long-time Cowboys Bob Lilly, Cornell Green, and Walt Garrison retired. In addition, Calvin Hill left for the WFL. To help offset these loses, the Cowboys did pull a rare trade and obtained Preston Pearson from the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the 1975 draft for the Cowboys was unequaled. Twelve members of the 1975 draft class made the roster. These included such future stars are defensive lineman Randy White, linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, guard Burton Lawless, linebacker Bob Breunig, guard Herb Scott, linebacker Mike Hegman, and running back Scott Laidlaw. No draft was ever been equaled.

Dallas won their first four games before hitting a mid-season slump by losing 3 of 4. The Cowboys quickly bounced back to win 5 of the last 6 to finish 10-4. The one loss in the last six was to the defending NFC East Champs St. Louis Cardinals and that was the difference in this year. Dallas finished second in the division, but it was enough for the playoffs.

The Cowboys faced the defending NFC Champion Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota. Trailing 14-10 with 24 seconds left in the game, the Cowboys had little option. Roger Staubach threw the ball as far as he could. Drew Pearson and defender Nate Wright both went up for the ball and collided. Wright fell as Pearson caught the ball and went into the endzone. The play is the most famous play in Cowboys history and now is referred to as the "Hail Mary Pass."

The win propelled Dallas to play Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game. The Cowboys crushed the Rams 37-7 to get to play the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X. The Steelers defended their championship by defeating the Cowboys 21-17. Not a bad year considering it started as a rebuilding year.

Notables:

• Bob Lilly becomes first member of "Ring of Honor" on November 23
• First season since 1966 without Thanksgiving Game

see 1975 NFL Standings