We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we are running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.
Today – number 3
Bob Lilly
Born: July 26, 1939. Olney, Texas Position: Defensive lineman Dallas Cowboys: 1961-1974 Awards: Super Bowl champion- VI All-Pro- 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 Pro Bowl- 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972,
1973
Bob Lilly played defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 to 1974, becoming the franchise’s first-ever draft pick and the foundation of their storied “Doomsday Defense.” Nicknamed “Mr. Cowboy,” Lilly’s blend of quickness, strength, and technique revolutionized defensive line play. He earned 11 Pro Bowl selections, nine All-Pro honors, and was instrumental in leading Dallas to its first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl VI. Lilly’s dominance and leadership cemented him as one of the greatest players in NFL history, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility, obviously.
Best known for:
Lilly was best known for being the first true superstar of the Dallas Cowboys, embodying toughness, consistency, and excellence as the face of the franchise in its early years.
Lesser known fact:
Lilly was also a talented photographer and published several collections of his work, capturing behind-the-scenes images of life in the NFL during his playing days.
