Watching the Super Bowl, Tom Brady and Eli Manning did everything they could to help their teams win, but as a Dallas Cowboys' fan, all I can think of is games from the past. While both Brady and Manning are amazing postseason athletes, I can't help but remember the days that Dallas Cowboys' players ruled the big games.
Here is a look at the Top 5 Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl performers.
1. Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith played in three Super Bowls and earned the MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII when he ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Over his career, the NFL's all-time leading rusher ran for 289 yards and five touchdowns in the Super Bowl while also catching 11 receptions for 56 yards.
2. Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman was the quarterback for three different Super Bowl teams and never lost in the big game. His best performance was in Super Bowl XXVI, when the Cowboys destroyed the Buffalo Bills. In that game Aikman completed 22-of-30 for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Over his Super Bowl career, Aikman completed 56-of-80 (70-percent) for 689 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
3. Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach played in four Super Bowls but what keeps him below Aikman is the two losses and a problem with turnovers. Staubach won the MVP in Super Bowl VI when he threw for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Over his four Super Bowl appearances, Staubach completed 61-of-95 (64-percent) for 734 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
4. Michael Irvin
Michael Irvin played in all three Super Bowls in the '90s and was just as important to the Cowboys' victories as Smith and Aikman. Irvin's best performance was in Super Bowl XXVI, where he caught six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. In the three Super Bowls, Irvin caught 16 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns.
5. Jay Novacek
This was a tough one. It all came down to Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Butch Johnson and Jay Novacek. While I wanted to give it to Pearson at first, Novacek has the numbers. Novacek holds the Cowboys' record for receptions in the Super Bowl, with 17 catches. He ranks second after Irvin with 148 yards and has two touchdowns.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and has been a Dallas Cowboys' fan since he was a child. His favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s and he enjoys talking about all Cowboys' related news, good or bad
