History of the Dallas Cowboys - 1970s
How the NFL Cowboys Became Super Bowl Champions and America's Team
Aug 16, 2009
The Dallas Cowboys struggled during the first half of the 1960s but ended the decade with four straight years in the playoffs and two trips to the NFL Championship. Losing both championship games, they gained a reputation as a good team that could not win the big game. That perception changed during the 1970s as the Dallas Cowboys set NFL records which still stand unbroken after almost 30 years.
Dallas Cowboys Season Records in the 1970s
The Dallas Cowboys had winning seasons in each year of the 1970s, giving them 14 consecutive winning seasons beginning in 1966. Their overall win-loss-tie record during the 1970s was 105-39-0:
- 1970: 10-4-0
- 1971: 11-3-0
- 1972: 10-4-0
- 1973: 10-4-0
- 1974: 8-6-0
- 1975: 10-4-0
- 1976: 11-3-0
- 1977: 12-2-0
- 1978: 12-4-0
- 1979: 11-5-0
Dallas Cowboys Championships in the 1970s
Except for 1974, the Dallas Cowboys advanced to the playoffs every year from 1966 to 1979 giving them 13 out of 14 years in the NFL playoffs.
- 1970: The Cowboys won the Eastern Division title, defeated the Detroit Lions in the divisional playoffs and beat the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC Conference title. Advancing to their first Super Bowl, the Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V.
- 1971: Claiming the Eastern Division title again, the Cowboys won their divisional game against Minnesota then defeated the 49ers for a second consecutive year to win the NFC Conference game. The Cowboys went on to beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Roger Staubach was named the game's MVP.
- 1972: The Cowboys entered the playoffs as a wild-card team and beat the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoff but lost to the Washington Redskins in the NFC Conference game.
- 1973: Regaining the Eastern Division title, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional playoff game but lost the NFC Conference Championship game to the Minnesota Vikings.
- 1975: As a wild-card team, the Cowboys upset the Vikings 17-14 as a result of Roger Staubach's 50-yard "Hail Mary" pass to Drew Pearson. The team went on to beat the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC Conference championship and advanced to their third Super Bowl in six years. They lost Super Bowl X to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- 1976: Claiming the Eastern Division title again, the Cowboys lost their divisional game to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs.
- 1977: The Dallas Cowboys claimed the Eastern Division title, defeated the Chicago Bears then beat the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Conference Championship game. They won their second Super Bowl title after defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. Harvey Martin and Randy White, both defensive linemen, where named co-MVPs of the game.
- 1978: With a new 16-game NFL regular season, the Cowboys earned their tenth division title with a 12-4 record. They defeated the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional game and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Conference championship. Playing in Super Bowl XIII - their fifth in nine years - they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- 1979: The Cowboys won their 11th division title but lost in the first round to the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 21-19.
The Dallas Cowboys Become "America's Team"
Because of the Cowboys winning streak throughout the 1970s, they gained a large following across the nation. In 1978, the editor-in-chief of NFL Films, Bob Ryan, noted the popularity of the Dallas Cowboys, even when they traveled on the road, and how often their games were televised. He coined the nickname "America's Team" for the Cowboys and the moniker has been associated with the team ever since.
Dallas Cowboys Move into Texas Stadium
During the 1960s, the Cowboys played their home games in the Cotton Bowl. Clint Murchison, Jr. announced plans on December 23, 1967, to build a new stadium and ground was broken on January 25, 1969. The first NFL game played in Texas Stadium was on October 24, 1971 with the New England Patriots as the visiting team. The Dallas Cowboys christened Texas Stadium with a victory by defeating the Patriots 44-22.
1970s Dallas Cowboys in Ring of Honor or Football Hall of Fame
Four Dallas Cowboys players, who started with the team between 1969 and 1979, have been recognized for their contributions by being inducted into the Texas Stadium Ring of Honor or into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Roger Staubach, the quarterback (1969-1979) was known as "Captain Comeback" for 23 fourth-quarter, come-from-behind victories in regular and post-season games. Staubach was inducted into the Ring of Honor (1983) and into the Hall of Fame (1985).
- Cliff Harris, a safety (1970-1979), was known as "Captain Crash" for his hard hits. He was added to the Ring of Honor in 2004.
- Randy White, a defensive tackle (1975-1988) was inducted into both the Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame in 1994.
- Tony Dorsett was a running back with the Dallas Cowboys (1977-1987). Like team mate Randy White, Dorsett was inducted into both the Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame in 1994.
Overview of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s
During the 1970s, the Dallas Cowboys compiled a 105-39-0 regular season record, earned seven division titles, won five conference championships and went to five Super Bowls, winning two of them. The quarterback who led them along the way, Roger Staubach, retired after the 1979 season. The Dallas Cowboys would have to look to a new leader to guide them into the 1980s.
Additional Reading on the Dallas Cowboys
- The History of the Dallas Cowboys - 1960s details the birth and early years of the Cowboys.
- A decade of change followed the championship years of the 1970s. A History of the Dallas Cowboys - 1980s explains what happened.
- NFL Teams in Texas reveals the five NFL team that began in Texas.
Sources:
- Team History by Season, DallasCowboys.com
- History of Football - Dallas Cowboys, NFL.com
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