Dallas City News

We are at day 24 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 24.

A great number 24 to play for Dallas was a fan favorite, the late Marion Barber.

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Marion Sylvester Barber III, also know as “Marion the Barbarian”, was born June 10, 1983 and was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Barber had limited opportunities to start during his initial three seasons; however, he quickly established himself as a vital component of the Cowboys’ offensive strategy. In his second season in 2006, he accumulated 654 rushing yards and topped the NFC with 14 touchdowns, nine of which were scored from within three yards.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

In 2007, Barber achieved 975 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection despite not starting a single game. Remarkably, he outperformed the Cowboys’ starting running back, Julius Jones, by nearly 400 yards. During the playoffs, Barber took the field as a starter in the Cowboys’ 21-17 defeat to the Giants, carrying the ball for an insane 27 times and rushed for 129 yards.

Barber continued to deliver commendable performances in 2008 and 2009, but with Felix Jones taking over as the primary running back the following season, Barber’s production dwindled to just 374 yards. He was released prior to the 2011 season and subsequently signed with the Chicago Bears, where he concluded his career in a backup role.

Over his career, he amassed 4,780 rushing yards on 1,156 attempts, and his 47 rushing touchdowns with the Cowboys rank him fourth in the franchise’s history. Following his retirement, Barber faced significant challenges including a law enforcement mandated mental health evaluation in 2014.

Tragically, Barber was discovered deceased in his apartment in Frisco, Texas, on June 1, 2022, at the young age of 38. The news sent shockwaves through the Cowboys fanbase worldwide, with many taking to social media to reminisce about his impactful moments characterized by his powerful running style and tenacious ground game. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, players and fans.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images