The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most prestigious teams in the NFL, but there have been times when it has been tough to be a fan throughout the years. The struggles after the departure of Troy Aikman were tough, but nothing compared to the embarrassment felt after these five plays were committed.
Jackie Smith, Super Bowl XIII
Jackie Smith was in the final season of his Hall of Fame career when he made one of the most infamous plays in Super Bowl history. Super Bowl XIII saw the Dallas Cowboys play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch from the previous season. With only three minutes left in the third quarter, the Dallas Cowboys were down by a touchdown. A third down play from the 10 yard line saw Jackie Smith standing wide open in the end zone, but Smith would drop the Roger Staubach pass. This forced the Cowboys to kick a field goal and eventually lose the game by four points.
Leon Lett in Super Bowl XXVII
If anyone had a knack for committing embarrassing plays, it was Leon Lett. The Buffalo Bills had the ball on their own 45 yard line when Leon Lett recovered a fumble. Lett picked up the ball and had nobody around him when he started to run. Lett then starts to prematurly celebrate when he reached the 10 yard line, when Don Beebe of the Buffalo Bills forces Lett to fumble and hits the ball out of the back of the endzone. While the play was embarrasing, I think most Cowboys fans will let it slide since they were winning 52-17 at the time.
Leon Lett, Thanksgiving 1993
Unlike the previous Leon Lett play, Dallas Cowboys fans will never forgive Lett for his play on Thanksgiving Day in 1993 because it ultimately lead to a defeat. The Cowboys were playing the Miami Dolphins in a snow storm, and the Cowboys were leading 14-13 with only 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins set up for the game winning field goal, but the Cowboys blocked the kick and should have won the game. While the rest of the Cowboys were celebrating the victory, Lett attempted to recover the football. Lett was unsuccessful and eventually slipped and knocked the ball out of bounds. This gave the Dolphins back the ball and allowed them to kick the winning field goal. A video of the play can be seen here.
Tony Romo, 2006 NFC Wild Card Game
The 2006 season was Tony Romo's first season as the starting quarterback. Since Romo had been the backup quarterback most of the season before he replaced Drew Bledsoe, he was still the place holder for kicker Martin Gramactica. Romo led the Cowboys all the way to the playoffs and was about to give them their first playoff victory since 1996. The Cowboys were kicking the game winning field goal when the ball slipped out of Romo's hands. This threw off the timing of the kick and Romo was tackled before reaching the end zone. I personally do not blame Romo because everyone could see that the football was clearly too wet to be used in the game. Video of the play can be seen here.
Tony Romo, Week 1 of the 2011 Season
I decided to put this on this list because I personally find the reaction to the play rather embarrasing. The Cowboys were tied with the New York Jets late in the fourth quarter when Romo threw an interception that led to a game winning field goal by the Jets. Romo received backlashed from the fans and media for giving away the game, and many people suggested that he needs to be replaced. Many people only look at the interception and forget that the Jets blocked a punt in an earlier possession. Had this punt never been blocked, the Cowboys would have had the lead and Romo would not have been forced to lead the team to victory. Tony Romo plays with a very similar style to Brett Favre. He is going to win you a lot of games, but he also may cost you a few too. The Dallas Cowboys coaches and fans need to realize this and learn to take the good with the bad.
