The 1997 Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...

 season would mark their 38th in the NFL and for the first time since 1990

1990 Dallas Cowboys season

The 1990 season was the Dallas Cowboys' 31st season in NFL. The Cowboys rebounded from a 1–15 season in 1989 to a 7–9 record. Jimmy Johnson won AP's NFL coach of the year honors.The season began with a win over San Diego, breaking a 14 game home losing streak...

, the team would suffer a losing season and miss the playoffs.

Regular season

Though the season began well with an impressive win against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...

, the Cowboys would soon see a sharp decline that included five consecutive loses to closeout the year. A series of countless off-the-field incidents, lack of discipline, and rumors of infighting between quarterback

Quarterback

Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...

 Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman

Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...

 and head coach

Head coach

A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...

 Barry Switzer

Barry Switzer

Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...

 plagued the team throughout the year. In a season filled with injuries and controversy, which also saw a tearful Michael Irvin promising change following a tough loss to the New York Giants

New York Giants

The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 in the final regular season game, Switzer

Barry Switzer

Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...

 would later resign after the season. Notable additions to the team were linebacker

Linebacker

A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...

 Dexter Coakley

Dexter Coakley

William Dexter Coakley is a former American football linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League. He was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, out of Division I-AA school Appalachian State...

.

Schedule

Opponent			Result	Attendance
at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...	37	7	W	60,397
at Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	22	25	L	71,578
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	21	20	W	63,942
Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	27	3	W	64,082
at New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	17	20	L	77,137
at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...	16	21	L	76,159
Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	26	22	W	64,464
at Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	12	13	L	67,106
at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...	10	17	L	68,657
Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	24	6	W	64,302
Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...	17	14	W	64,559
at Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...	17	45	L	60,111
Tennessee Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...	14	27	L	63,421
Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...	13	23	L	63,251
at Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...	24	31	L	60,043
New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	7	20	L	63,746

Roster

Dallas Cowboys 1997 roster
Quarterbacks  8 Troy Aikman Troy Aikman Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys... 17 Jason Garrett Jason Garrett Jason Calvin Garrett is an American former National Football League player and the current head coach of the Dallas Cowboys... 18 Wade Wilson Running Backs 48 Daryl Johnston Daryl Johnston Daryl Peter "Moose" Johnston is a former National Football League fullback who played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1999.-High school career:...  FB 22 Emmitt Smith Emmitt Smith Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for... 45 Nicky Sualua Nicky Sualua Nicky Sualua is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He played two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys.-College years:... FB 34 Herschel Walker Herschel Walker Herschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...  FB/RB/KR 20 Sherman Williams Sherman Williams Sherman Cedric Williams is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for five seasons for the Dallas Cowboys... Wide Receivers 87 Billy Davis Billy Davis (wide receiver) Billy Davis is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. Played QB in high school and was recruited by Pitt to play WR while they were playing in the Sun Bowl.... 88 Michael Irvin Michael Irvin Michael Jerome Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his... 83 Anthony Miller 80 Stepfret Williams Stepfret Williams Stepfret Williams III is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals. He was also the leading receiver in yards in the XFL.-References:... Tight Ends 86 Eric Bjornson Eric Bjornson Eric Thomas Bjornson is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL Draft... 81 Scott Galbraith Scott Galbraith Alan Scott Galbraith is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League for nine seasons for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Green Bay Packers.... 89 David LaFleur David LaFleur David Alan LaFleur is a former American football tight end in the National Football League who played from 1997 to 2000 for the Dallas Cowboys. He was drafted in the first round by the Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft. LaFleur played college football at Louisiana State University...		Offensive Linemen 73 Larry Allen Larry Allen Larry Christopher Allen, Sr. is a former American football guard of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft...  G 63 John Flannery G 69 George Hegamin George Hegamin George Russell Hegamin is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....  T 66 Tony Hutson Tony Hutson Tony Hutson is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma....  T/G 61 Nate Newton Nate Newton Nathaniel Newton is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers . He also played for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League, in 1984 and 1985...  G 77 Steve Scifres G 50 Clay Shiver Clay Shiver Spencer Clay Shiver is a former professional American football player who played offensive lineman for three seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and one season for the Carolina Panthers....  C 71 Mark Tuinei Mark Tuinei Mark Pulemau Tuinei was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys...  T 79 Erik Williams Erik Williams Erik George Williams is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League who played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys . He played college football at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he was an NAIA All-American offensive lineman. Williams was...  T Defensive Linemen 96 Antonio Anderson Antonio Anderson (American football) Antonio Kenneth Anderson is a former American football defensive tackle.-Professional career:Anderson was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. He played DT in 16 games for the Cowboys his rookie season and recorded two sacks... DT 91 Darren Benson DE/DT 98 Shante Carver Shante Carver Shante Carver is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1994–1997, and later in the Arena Football League with the Dallas Desperados...  DE 75 Tony Casillas Tony Casillas Tony Steven Casillas is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League from 1986 through 1997. While at the University of Oklahoma he helped win the 1985 NCAA National Championship. He also won the Lombardi Award in 1985 and was the 1985 UPI Lineman of the Year...  DT 95 Chad Hennings Chad Hennings Chad William Hennings is a former American football defensive lineman for the Air Force Academy Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He won the Outland Trophy in his senior year of college...  DT 78 Leon Lett Leon Lett Leon Lett, Jr. , nicknamed The Big Cat, is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos , after playing college football at Emporia State University. Lett was a two-time Pro Bowler, with selections in 1994 and...  DT 99 Hurvin McCormack Hurvin McCormack Hurvin Michael McCormack is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for six seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns....  DT 97 Kavika Pittman Kavika Pittman Kavika Charles Pittman is a former American football defensive end who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and the Carolina Panthers. Pittman played college football for McNeese State University and was drafted in the second round of the...  DE 92 Tony Tolbert Tony Tolbert Anthony Lewis Tolbert is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was raised in Englewood, New Jersey, and graduated from Dwight Morrow High School. Tolbert was drafted in 4th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...  DE		Linebackers 52 Dexter Coakley Dexter Coakley William Dexter Coakley is a former American football linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League. He was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, out of Division I-AA school Appalachian State... OLB 56 Randall Godfrey Randall Godfrey Randall Euralentris Godfrey is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. Godfrey played college football at the University of Georgia, where he majored in housing and consumer economics. He also played High School Football at Lowndes High School in Valdosta Georgia...  OLB 58 Nate Hemsley MLB 57 Vinson Smith Vinson Smith Vinson Robert Smith , is a former American football linebacker, who spent 12 years in the National Football League after graduating from East Carolina University. Smith won one Super Bowl as a member of the Dallas Cowboys...  OLB 55 Fred Strickland Fred Strickland Fredrick William Strickland, Jr. is a former American football linebacker who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League from 1988 to 1999. He played college football at Purdue University and was drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft....  MLB 51 Broderick Thomas Broderick Thomas Broderick Lee Thomas is a former professional American football player in the National Football League.-High school career:Thomas graduated from Madison High School in Houston in 1985.-College career:...  OLB Defensive Backs 40 Bill Bates Bill Bates William Frederick Bates is a former American football safety in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:...  SS 35 Wendell Davis CB 31 Brock Marion Brock Marion Brock Elliot Marion is a former American football free safety in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins, and the Detroit Lions from 1993 to 2004. Marion was a three-time Pro Bowler in 2000, 2002 and 2003 with the Dolphins...  FS 23 Kevin Mathis Kevin Mathis Kevin Bryant Mathis is an American football cornerback in the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He has played for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and the Atlanta Falcons... CB 27 Singor Mobley Singor Mobley Singor A. Mobley is a former Canadian Football League linebacker.Mobley played college football at Washington State University.... SS/CB 21 Deion Sanders Deion Sanders Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...  CB/PR 26 Kevin Smith Kevin Smith (cornerback) Kevin Rey Smith is a former professional American football player who played cornerback in the National Football League for nine seasons for the Dallas Cowboys.-High school career:...  CB 24 Omar Stoutmire Omar Stoutmire Omar Array Stoutmire is a retired American football safety in the National Football League. He played college football at Fresno State and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft.... FS 30 Kenny Wheaton Kenny Wheaton Kenneth Tyron "Kenny" Wheaton is a defensive back who most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.-Personal life:Wheaton attended McClintock High School in Tempe, Arizona... CB 42 Charlie Williams Charlie Williams (American football) Charlie Williams is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for six seasons for the Dallas Cowboys....  CB 28 Darren Woodson Darren Woodson Darren Ray Woodson is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He played his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 2004...  SS Special Teams  3 Richie Cunningham K  4 Toby Gowin Toby Gowin Toby Lee Gowin is an American football punter in the National Football League. He is currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of North Texas.-High school career:... P 70 Dale Hellestrae Dale Hellestrae Dale Robert Hellestrae is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Ravens...  LS/C/OT		Reserve Lists Currently vacant Rookies in italics 53 Active, 0 Inactive

Awards and records

• Troy Aikman
  Troy Aikman
  Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
  
  , Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
  Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
  The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is given annually by the National Football League honoring a player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award...