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Bob Lilly, ‘Mr. Cowboy’ still is finding ways to meet fans
Bob Lilly in attendance for the 2022 hall of fame enshrinement. (Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

Bob Lilly, ‘Mr. Cowboy’ still is finding ways to meet fans

DALLAS (BVM) –When thinking of players synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys’ star logo, some may think of Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, or even for the younger generation, today’s stars such as Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.

But true fans know that No. 1 should be “Mr. Cowboy” himself, Bob Lilly.

The 11-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman wreaked havoc on offensive lines all throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, being a crucial part of the Super Bowl VI championship team.

Lilly’s Dallas roots

Lilly was born just over two hours northwest of Dallas in Olney, Texas and starred on the football field at Throckmorton High School.

After his high school career, he decided to stay local and attended TCU. Lilly broke out his senior year with the Horned Frogs being selected as an All-American and in 1980, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

In the 1961 NFL Draft, Lilly began to slide to the middle of the first round. The Cowboys could not resist, trading a future firstround pick and Paul Dickson to Cleveland for the No. 13 pick. Dallas landed the hometown kid and what would be one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise.

NFL career

The leader of the “Doomsday Defense,” Lilly led Dallas to two Super Bowl appearances and one victory over the Miami Dolphins in 1971.

While Lilly’s on-the-field talent is the biggest talking point, his durability is sometimes forgotten about. Throughout his 14-year NFL career, Lilly did not miss a single regular season game, playing in all 196 of them. The only game he missed was the 1973 NFC Championship due to a leg injury.

Following his career, Lilly was the first player to be inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor and would later be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

The Cowboys organization does not officially retire numbers, but no player has worn his No. 74 since.

Where is Lilly today?

At age 83, Lilly is still out and about. Prior to Super Bowl LIV in 2020, the NFL honored the 100 greatest players in NFL history due to the 100-year anniversary of the league. Lilly was in attendance and represented the Dallas Cowboys.

More recently, he was in attendance for the 2022 hall of fame enshrinement and at a local Visionary Luncheon in North Texas, where he took pictures with fans.

Despite his age, Lilly continues to find opportunities to meet Cowboys fans.