Bob Lilly a.k.a. “Mr. Cowboy” – (Mark and Dave’s All-Time Favorite Player)

After an All-American career at Texas Christian University, Bob Lilly was the first-ever draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys. Lilly played from 1961 to 1974 and played defensive end for his first two and a half seasons with the Cowboys before Coach Tom Landry moved him to defensive tackle.

1970s Topps poster of Bob Lilly (Dallas Cowboys Defensive Lineman)
1970s Topps poster of Bob Lilly (Dallas Cowboys Defensive Lineman) - Photo courtesy Mark Morthier's private collection
1992 Goal Line Art Card of Bob Lilly (Defensive Tackle) Dallas Cowboys
1992 Goal Line Art Card of Bob Lilly (Defensive Tackle) Dallas Cowboys - Photo courtesy Mark Morthier's private collection

The Cowboys, born in expansion, struggled to produce a winning team until 1966. Then they lost in the post-season five years in a row. Lilly’s frustration boiled over after losing Superbowl V to the Baltimore Colts on a last-second field goal.

The following year, he took out his frustrations when he led the Cowboys and the “Doomsday Defense” to its first World Championship. In Superbowl VI, he chased down Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese for a 29-yard sack, and the Cowboys went on to win 24-3.

Lilly, who was usually double-teamed and sometimes triple-teamed, learned to use his hands to stop offensive linemen from holding him. If they tried to block him straight on, he grabbed them and threw them out of the way. If they tried to cut block him, he would simply leap over them.

Besides being arguably the best defensive lineman the game has ever seen, Mr. Lilly has always been a class act off the field. Bob held a yearly charity golf tournament for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and often speaks to youth groups about having good moral values. Bob is also generous in giving back to the fans, signing autographs, taking pictures, and giving interviews.

Mark Morthier and Bob Lilly
That's me with Bob Lilly. The picture was taken roughly 20 years ago.
Dave DePaola and Mark Morthier speaking with Bob Lilly
Dave DePaola and Mark Morthier conversing with Bob Lilly
Dave DePaola and Bob Lilly
Dave DePaola asking Bob Lilly a question on the Yesterday's Sports podcast

Some of Bob Lilly's Credentials

  • Two-time NFC Champion
  • One-time Superbowl Champion
  • Nine-time All-Pro
  • Eleven Pro Bowl appearances
  • First Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor player
  • First Dallas Cowboys player in the Hall of Fame
  • Member of NFL 100th Anniversary team
  • Voted by Sporting News as the best lineman in NFL history
Bob Lilly (Defensive Tackle) Dallas Cowboys football cards
Bob Lilly (Defensive Tackle) Dallas Cowboys football cards - Photo courtesy Mark Morthier's private collection

Despite all his achievements and accolades, Mr. Lilly remains a humble man who always gives credit to those who helped him along the way.

Dave and I thank Mr. Lilly for taking time out of his schedule to talk with us. It was quite a thrill for us two old-school Dallas Cowboys fans.

Dave DePaola showing his autographed copy of Bob Lilly's book
Dave holding up his autographed copy of Bob’s book. Mr. Lilly has been an avid photographer since 1960.

Mark Morthier is the host of Yesterday’s Sports, a podcast dedicated to reliving memorable sports moments from his childhood days and beyond.  He grew up in New Jersey just across from New York City, so many of his episodes revolve around the great sport’s teams of the 70s for the New York area. 

He is also an author of No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training (Second Edition): A Guide for People with Limited Time and Running Wild: (Growing Up in the 1970s)

Mark Morthier headshot - host of Yesterday's Sports podcast on the Sports History Network
Photo Courtesy: Mark Morthier

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