The story of the Dallas Cowboys begins with a name etched in greatness: Bob Lilly. In 1961, when the franchise was still in its infancy and trying to define what kind of team it would become, the Cowboys made a decision that would forever change the trajectory of the organization. With their first-ever draft pick, they selected a defensive lineman out of Texas Christian University—a quiet, powerful, and determined player who would become the gold standard for excellence in Dallas. That man was Bob Lilly, and his legacy became the foundation on which a football dynasty was built.
Born on July 26, 1939, in Olney, Texas, Bob Lilly grew up in the small town of Throckmorton before moving to Pendleton, Oregon, during his high school years. He returned to Texas to attend TCU, where he became a standout player on the Horned Frogs’ defense. He earned All-Southwest Conference honors and consensus All-America recognition in 1960, making him a clear top prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys, having just completed their inaugural season in 1960, were desperate for a franchise cornerstone, and with the 13th overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft, they found exactly that in Lilly.
While the Cowboys were still establishing an identity, Lilly came in and immediately embodied what the franchise aspired to be: tough, relentless, and elite. At 6-foot-5 and around 260 pounds, Lilly had a rare blend of strength, quickness, and technique that made him a nightmare for offensive linemen. Initially drafted as a defensive end, he would later move to defensive tackle—a position where he would revolutionize the game and dominate for over a decade.
In an era before the modern weight training programs, complex defensive schemes, and constant media hype, Lilly’s greatness spoke through his actions on the field. He was quiet, intense, and fiercely committed to the game. Nicknamed “Mr. Cowboy,” he was the face of the franchise through the 1960s and into the early 1970s, a time when the team began to shake off early struggles and evolve into a perennial contender under legendary coach Tom Landry. Lilly’s presence in the locker room and on the field helped set the tone for an organization that would come to be known for its consistency and winning culture.
One of Lilly’s defining traits was his durability. He played 14 seasons for the Cowboys, appearing in 196 consecutive regular-season games—a remarkable feat for a defensive lineman who was constantly engaged in physical warfare in the trenches. His quickness off the snap and violent hand technique allowed him to consistently beat double teams and get into the backfield. He finished his career with 11 Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro seven times. He was the first player inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1975, and in 1980, he became the first Cowboys player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But beyond the numbers and accolades, Bob Lilly’s impact went deeper. He helped transform the Cowboys from expansion team to championship contender. He was a critical part of the “Doomsday Defense,” a unit that became one of the most feared in the league. His leadership helped carry Dallas to two Super Bowl appearances, including the team’s first Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl VI, a 24–3 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins. Lilly’s image from that game—storming into the backfield to sack Bob Griese for a 29-yard loss, the longest sack in Super Bowl history—is still one of the most iconic moments in franchise history.
Lilly’s influence also extended to how he approached the game off the field. He was a professional in every sense, known for his sportsmanship, preparation, and quiet intensity. He didn’t seek the spotlight, but it found him anyway, simply because of how dominant he was every Sunday. He earned the respect of opponents, coaches, and teammates alike. His ability to remain humble while being the best at what he did helped establish the culture that has carried the Cowboys through decades of success and challenges alike.
Even after retirement, Lilly’s association with the Cowboys remained strong. He remained a fan favorite and a mentor to younger generations of players. His name is synonymous with the Cowboys’ brand of football: aggressive, disciplined, and full of pride. Many who came after him—like Randy White, Charles Haley, DeMarcus Ware, and Micah Parsons—would follow in the mold that Lilly set, but he was always the original. When the team needed someone to symbolize its values and aspirations, Bob Lilly was that man.
His post-football life has also reflected his depth and character. A passionate photographer, Lilly turned his eye for detail from the football field to the camera lens, capturing moments and landscapes that express his appreciation for life and beauty. It’s no surprise that someone so meticulous on the field would find another outlet for his precision and artistry. He has remained involved in charitable work and often appears at Cowboys events, continuing to serve as an ambassador for the game and the organization.
As the Cowboys celebrate more than six decades of existence, there remains something fitting about the fact that Bob Lilly was the team’s first draft pick. It set a tone. It told the league that this new franchise wasn’t just another expansion experiment—it was building something that would last. The Cowboys have gone on to become “America’s Team,” with five Super Bowl wins, numerous Hall of Famers, and a fan base that spans the globe. And it all began with one pick in 1961.
There’s a poetry to that moment in history—the unassuming start of a football empire with a player who preferred action over words. That first step, the selection of Bob Lilly, wasn’t just a roster decision; it was a declaration. A declaration that greatness would be the expectation, not the exception. The Cowboys could have drafted anyone. They chose Lilly. And in doing so, they chose legacy.
Today, when fans walk through AT\&T Stadium or visit the Cowboys Ring of Honor, Bob Lilly’s name still stands out as the beginning of something legendary. His statue, his highlights, his legacy—they all serve as reminders that every great journey begins with a single step. For the Cowboys, that step was Bob Lilly.
So when you think of the Dallas Cowboys and all that they have meant to the NFL and their fans, think back to 1961. Think of a young man from TCU who walked into an unproven locker room and became the bedrock of a franchise. Think of the man whose hands shed blockers like autumn leaves, whose face was rarely shown without a helmet but whose name became immortal. Think of the standard-bearer, the original, the embodiment of what it means to wear the star.
History didn’t just begin with Bob Lilly—it was defined by him.
