Dallas City News

We are at day 48 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 48.

Today’s fact talks about an unforgettable number 48 that played for Dallas. A player that Emmitt Smith once called the most important piece to his record-breaking career. That man is Daryl “Moose” Johnston.

Set Number: X45504

Daryl Peter Johnston was born February 10, 1966 and was the next pick after Troy Aikman in the 1989 NFL Draft. Johnston would get his nickname from backup quarterback Babe Laufenberg who noticed that Johnston was bigger than the other running backs stating he looked like a moose in a herd of deer.

As a Cowboy, Johnston played in 149 consecutive games from 1989-1997. He also became one of the greatest special teams players in franchise history. Many fans will remember the cry of “Mooooose” which would be heard around Texas Stadium whenever he made a big play.

Johnston has 22 career touchdowns off of 294 receptions (third in franchise history among running backs) and 2,227 yards receiving – playing fullback! This was complemented with 232 career carries for 753 yards.

Thanks to the standard that Moose set at the position, the NFL established a defined fullback at the annual Pro Bowl. Johnston became the first fullback ever selected to the Pro Bowl in 1993, a distinction he earned in 1994 as well.

Johnston retired at the end of the 1999 season, after suffering a neck injury in 1997. His contributions to the team helped win three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and earn two Pro Bowls. After football, Johnston went on to work as a broadcaster and in the front office for the San Antonio Commanders in the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He is now executive vice-president of football operations for the United Football League (UFL).

Photo by Emilee Chinn/USFL/Getty Images

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