Dallas City News

We are at day 28 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 28.

He’s not just a fan favorite, but he was also a revered player during the height of Dallas’ dominance in the 1990’s. That player wore 28 for Dallas and was the great Darren Woodson.

Darren Ray Woodson was born April 25, 1969 and was selected 37th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. It was pretty crazy for Woodson that he was drafted by Dallas as he has grew up with a dislike for the Cowboys, but enjoyed a remarkable career despite that unexpected turn of events.

At the start of Woodson’s rookie season in 1992, the Cowboys were uncertain about the best position for him, as he was considered undersized for an NFL linebacker. However, Cowboys defensive backs coach Dave Campo managed to persuade Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson that Woodson would thrive as a safety.

Woodson became one of the most iconic safeties in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. In his rookie year of 1992, he participated in all 16 games but managed only one sack while serving as a backup safety and an extra defensive back in nickel packages. Despite this, he celebrated his first Super Bowl victory that season when the Cowboys triumphed over the Buffalo Bills with a score of 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII. Woodson truly made an impact in his second season in 1993, recording a sack and recovering three fumbles, helping the Cowboys secure their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy by defeating the Bills again, this time 30-13 in Super Bowl XXVIII. He added a third Super Bowl ring to his collection in 1995 when the Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX.

RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Woodson enjoyed his prime years in the NFL between 1994 and 1998. During this period, he recorded 317 solo tackles, 8 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 14 interceptions. From 1994 to 1996, he was particularly known for his skills as a ball-hawking safety, with 12 of his 23 career interceptions occurring in those years.

Woodson maintained his impressive performance on the field, but injuries began to impact his game. On September 6, 2004, the Cowboys placed him on the physically unable to participate list due to a herniated disc. Consequently, he did not play at all during the 2004 NFL season. Woodson officially declared his retirement from the NFL on December 30, 2004. Over his 13-year career, he recorded 702 solo tackles, 11 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, and 23 interceptions, making him the all-time leader in total tackles for the franchise.

James D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports