Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 98)
We are at day 98 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 98.
Greg Ellis not only wore 98 for Dallas, he was drafted in the 1998 NFL Draft and he holds the longest fumble return in Cowboys history, for 98 yards.
The All-America pass rusher was drafted by Dallas over Randy Moss which caused Cowboys fans to feel frustrated by the pick. But Ellis had a pretty productive career as a pass rusher and totaled 77 sacks in his Cowboys career. His big play came in 1999 with a fumble return for 98 yards against Arizona. With the Cardinals quarterback, Jake Plummer, in disarray on the play, Greg Ellis took advantage. Ellis scooped up the live ball when Plummer fumbled the ball as he was unsure whether to hand the ball off or run it himself. When Ellis came up with the ball he quickly realized no Cardinals player had touched him down, so he got up and bolted downfield. The fumble return is the eighth-longest in NFL history.
Greg Ellis joined Dallas as defensive line coach this season after head-coaching stints at two Texas colleges. His 77 sacks for Dallas ranks third-most in Cowboys history.
The Cowboys are hiring former first-round pick Greg Ellis as an assistant defensive line coach, the team can confirm.
Ellis has served as the head coach for Texas College and SAGU and will now get his first NFL opportunity with the team that began his NFL career in 1998. pic.twitter.com/qR82R9i2sP
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) February 16, 2024
Another record for Dallas is Dennis Morgan’s 98-yard punt return for a touchdown. Morgan made the return during his rookie season in 1974, and was also against the Arizona Cardinals. It would be the only touchdown Morgan would score in his career. He unfortunately passed away in 2015.
In 1974, Dennis Morgan set a franchise record which still stands today by returning a 97-yard punt for a touchdown.
Sadly, Morgan passed away in 2015 but his legacy continues with this amazing run. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/rA98mVhxqX
— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 1, 2024