photo;ID 45540248 © Jerry Coli | Dreamstime.com
There is offense, there is defense, and then there is special teams. While it’s impact on the game of football is often trivialized, countless times the outcome of games, division titles, and even championships are decided within that phase of the game. A last second field goal, a blocked punt, a big return, and even simply gaining the advantage in field position are among the little things that make a big impact on football games. The Dallas Cowboys have a long history of success with their special teams. These 5 individuals standout as the greatest Dallas Cowboys special teams players in the history of the franchise.
Honourable Mention: L.P. Ladouceur, LS, 2005-Present, Kenneth Gant, 1990-1994
5. DWAYNE HARRIS, 2011-2014
Dwayne Harris had a short but memorable stint with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a swiss army knife type of player who returned punts and kickoffs, lead the team in special teams tackles as a gunner, and also contributed on offense both as a WR and as a ball carrier. Harris never made the pro-bowl while playing for the Cowboys but he did so in 2016 while playing for the Giants. Dwayne Harris was a fan favorite in Dallas and is the franchise all-time leader in kickoff return yard average as well as the single season record holder.
4. RAFAEL SEPTIEN, K, 1978-1986
Rafael Septien is second behind only Emmitt Smith as the All-Time leader in points scored in franchise history. Septien was a reliable kicker for the Cowboys especially in the playoffs. He was voted to the Pro-Bowl in 1981 and also received All-Pro honors that season.
3. MATT MCBRIAR, P, 2003-2011
The Australian born punter Matt McBriar is the Dallas Cowboys All-Time leader in average yards/punt. He had a long and successful career with the Dallas Cowboys which included being selected to the Pro-Bowl and the All-Pro Team twice.
2. DAN BAILEY, K, 2011-2017
For 6 seasons the Dallas Cowboys never had to worry about their kicking game. That was because Dan Bailey, “Mr. Automatic”, was the placekicker. The franchise leader in field goals made is the also the most accurate kicker in franchise history and the second most accurate NFL kicker of All-Time! It is hard to believe that Bailey only made the Pro-Bowl once in his career, which was in 2015 when he was also named to the All-Pro Team. His final season with Dallas ended badly after he struggled upon returning from a groin injury. He then lost is job to Brett Maher last season and the DallasCowboys kicking game has never been the same since.
Dan Bailey celebrates a clutch field goal with his Dallas Cowboys teammates. *Photo by Kieth Allison https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/
1. BILL BATES, 1983-1997
Bill Bates is on of the longest tenured and most beloved players in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. He played safety and started there for several years but he was a real difference maker on special teams. He quickly established himself at that position by being named the NFC Special Teams player of the year in 1983 as a rookie. In 1984, when he was voted to the Pro-Bowl, he became the first player to earn that designation as a special teamer. He would also receive All-Pro honors that same season. The hard hitting Bates was a team leader and a catalyst who set the tone of games with his bone crushing tackles on the opening kickoffs. Bates suffered through the low point of the Dallas Cowboys era which included a 1-15 season. He also endured the transition from Tom Landry to Jimmy Johnson and then to Barry Switzer but he was rewarded with three Super Bowl rings for his trouble.
All data and statistics obtained and verified by https://www.pro-football-reference.com/
*Photo by Jeri Coli https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-stock-photo-bill-bates-dallas-cowboys-db-image-taken-color-slide-image45540248
**Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode