Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…
15. Roger Staubach
Drafted in the 10th round (129th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1964 NFL Draft out of the U.S. Naval Academy as a future pick, Staubach’s entry was delayed by four years of Navy service, including a Vietnam tour. He debuted in 1969 at age 27, quickly becoming the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback after Don Meredith’s retirement.
Over 11 seasons with Dallas, Staubach led the team to five Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl VI (1971 season) and Super Bowl XII (1977 season). He earned Super Bowl VI MVP honors with 119 yards and two touchdowns in a 24–3 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Staubach guided the Cowboys to NFC championships in 1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, and 1978. His 1979 season was a career high with 3,586 yards and 27 touchdowns. He orchestrated 23 game-winning drives, including 15 comebacks, with his iconic “Hail Mary” pass securing a 1975 playoff win over Minnesota.
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Staubach’s career totals include 22,700 yards, 153 touchdowns and 109 interceptions, with a 57.0 percent completion rate and 83.4 passer rating—the highest in NFL history at retirement. Staubach led the league in passer rating four times (1971, 1973, 1978, 1979) and touchdowns once (1973), earning six Pro Bowl selections.
Staubach’s standout attributes were his scrambling agility and clutch decision-making, earning nicknames like “Roger the Dodger” and “Captain Comeback.” He combined strong arm strength with mobility, thriving in high-pressure situations.
Retiring in 1980 due to concussions, Staubach was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. His legacy as a Heisman winner (1963) and NFL icon persists, honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
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But who ranks ahead of Staubach at No. 14 all-time?