Cowboys offensive lineman Tom Rafferty, who played 14 seasons with Dallas, dies at 70
Rafferty had been hospitalized in Windsor, Colorado since suffering a stroke in early May, his daughter told the Dallas Morning News.
Advertisement
The Cowboys' fourth-round pick (No. 119 overall) out of Penn State in 1976, Rafferty played his first five NFL seasons at guard before moving to center for the remainder of his career. He started 182 out of a possible 203 games, including 167 consecutive starts.
'If you look at his dimensions [6-foot-3, 256 pounds], he wouldn't be playing in the offensive line today.' longtime Cowboys radio broadcaster Brad Sham told the Dallas Morning News. 'But that's what [coach Tom Landry] wanted. He wanted pulling linemen and guys who could get downfield in front of [Tony] Dorsett on a screen pass."
Rafferty threw a key block for Dorsett's NFL-record 99-yard touchdown run on Jan. 3, 1983 versus the Minnesota Vikings. Amazingly, Dallas only had 10 men on the field for that play.
For the past 17 years, Rafferty had battled transverse myelitis, a disorder that affects the central nervous system. He was hospitalized for 48 days and refused to use a wheelchair.
Advertisement
"He just kept at it until he could walk again,' recalled Rafferty's daughter, Rachel Powers. 'No sensation below his waist, but he made it happen."
Rafferty was one of 12 players in franchise history to play at least 14 years for the Cowboys. In his second season, Dallas defeated the Denver Broncos to win Super Bowl XII. The Cowboys lost Super Bowl XIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers the following year.
His final season was 1989 for a 1-15 Cowboys team during Hall of Famer Troy Aikman's rookie year. With Aikman and Roger Staubach, Rafferty played with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders begins preseason buried on Browns depth chart
Shedeur Sanders has battled since being drafted in April to make a name for himself on the Browns roster, but so far, it has not happened. After sitting out a practice this weekend with arm soreness and missing valuable reps, the Browns released their first depth chart of the season, and it wasn't promising as to where Sanders stands in the quarterback competition. The former Colorado Buffaloes signal caller was listed as the Browns' No. 4 quarterback behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Sanders' performances so far during training camp would suggest that he has not been the fourth-best quarterback on the roster, but rather one of the top-2 options. Given that preseason games don't see starters play for long, Sanders might receive ample playing time on Friday when the Browns face the Panthers to open the preseason. The Browns also signed quarterback Tyler Huntley, who was with Cleveland last season, which may indicate that Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, who are dealing with hamstring injuries, won't play this week. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Shedeur Sanders listed as Browns' No. 4 QB on first-depth chart
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders, Browns starting quarterback? Think again
The Cleveland Browns have released their first unofficial depth chart for the quarterback room, and rookie Shedeur Sanders is fourth on the list. As Cleveland unofficially names veteran quarterback Joe Flacco its starter for the time being, Sanders clocked in behind veteran Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel on the depth Sanders, Pickett and Gabriel all dealing with injuries right now, the team also signed veteran quarterback Tyler Huntley to the quarterback room for the interim. Sanders, the surprise fifth-round selection once believed to be a first rounder, has a pretty daunting path to starting for Cleveland this season. With it always possible the Browns could add another quarterback (Kirk Cousins), Sanders is most likely going to spend his first season in the NFL on the bench. There is an outside chance Cleveland could cut Sanders by the end of training camp, but it's more likely he will develop in the background for now as a possible opportunity awaits him in the future. However, if you thought Sanders had a chance to see NFL action during the regular season, the first depth chart shows how unlikely that reality is, at least for now. Will Shedeur Sanders play in the preseason? If he's healthy, we do imagine Cleveland will give him some preseason reps to see where he is. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Shedeur Sanders, Browns starting quarterback? Think again
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Browns QB depth chart: Cleveland adds Tyler Huntley in training camp
One of the most intriguing quarterback competitions in the NFL this offseason has a new challenger. The Cleveland Browns are adding a former Pro Bowler to their crowded quarterback room. Former Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley is signing with the Browns, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. His signing comes as the Browns' passers miss some time with injury. No Prime yet: Shedeur Sanders explains why he doesn't want his dad Deion attending Browns training camp Huntley was a backup in Miami last season and made five starts for the Dolphins. He went 2-3 and completed 86 of 133 passes (64.7%) for 829 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 26 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns. His second win of the season as a starter came in a 20-3 victory over the Browns during Week 17. NFL power rankings: As preseason nears, who are Eagles' main threats? Prior to his year in Miami, Huntley spent the first four years of his NFL career in Baltimore as a backup for starter Lamar Jackson. Huntley made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after going 2-2 as a starter filling in for the injured Jackson to close the season. He started the Ravens' lone playoff game that season, a 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Huntley's started a total of 14 games in his career with a 5-9 record in those starts. Browns QB depth chart Cleveland has released its first depth chart for the quarterback position on Aug. 4 that shows veteran Joe Flacco at the top. He's expected to be the starter come Week 1 against Cincinnati. Joe Flacco Kenny Pickett Dillon Gabriel Shedeur Sanders Tyler Huntley Huntley's signing adds another player to the Browns quarterback room comprised of veterans Pickett and Flacco as well as rookies Gabriel and Sanders. Both Pickett and Gabriel are out of practice with hamstring injuries and Sanders just returned on Aug. 4 after taking time off due to shoulder soreness. The 40-year-old Flacco started five games for the Browns in 2023 and led them to the playoffs. He went 4-1 as a starter in the regular season before Cleveland's season came to an end in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs in a loss to Houston. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Browns QB depth chart: Cleveland adds Tyler Huntley for training camp
