Meat on the grill? Check.
Bikinis by the pool? Check.
Cold beverages in the ice chest? Check.
Fireworks in the night sky? Check.
All we need is a good debate. Because, especially on the Fourth of July, what’s more American than a good ol’ sports argument between friends?
So here’s my holiday gift: The Ultimate Cowboys’ Fantasy Roster, from uniform numbers 1-99.
It ain’t perfect, but it’s mine. Yours will likely have a tweak or two, or perhaps even a complete overhaul.
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I grew up with Drew Pearson, covered Michael Irvin and have the highest hopes for Dez Bryant. Sorry, for all his potential and flashes of brilliance the youngest 88 just doesn’t compare. Yet.
The Cowboys revere uniform numbers, but they don't retire them. Should they? You don't see No. 8 or 12 or 74 running around at training camp, so why is 88 so readily given out? Even Antonio Bryant got a chance to scar the number.
Drew will always be 88 to me (Hail Mary anyone?), but I concede that for a generation it's Irvin.
But does No. 22 belong to the NFL's all-time leading rusher (Emmitt Smith) or a Hall-of-Fame receiver (Bob Hayes)? Is No. 54 a Super Bowl MVP (Chuck Howley), or a Super Bowl co-MVP (Randy White)? Does No. 80 conjure up images of a complimentary Super Bowl receiver in the '70s (Tony Hill) or '90s (Alvin Harper)?
There's really only one number above debate. Only one player has ever worn No. 74 – Bob Lilly.
Some new Cowboys - Henry Melton at No. 69 and George Selvie at No. 99 - own those jerseys by default. DeMarco Murray (29) has done enough to supplant Kenny Gant, and the same with Dan Bailey over Clint Stoerner at No. 5. Sean Lee can't stay healthy enough to challenge D.D. Lewis for No. 50.
It's far from a settled, undisputed roster, so let the fireworks commence. Which Cowboy owns what uniform number?
1. Rafael Septien
2. Anthony Wright
3. Eddie Murray
4. Mike Saxon
5. Dan Bailey
6. Nick Folk
7. Steve Beuerlein
8. Troy Aikman
9. Tony Romo
10. Ron Widby
11. Danny White
12. Roger Staubach
13. Jerry Rhome
14. Craig Morton
15. Toni Fritsch
16. Steve Pelluer
17. Don Meredith
18. Chris Boniol
19. Clint Longley
20. Mel Renfro
21. Deion Sanders
22. Emmitt Smith
23. Dwayne Goodrich
24. Everson Walls
25. Rod Hill
26. Kevin Smith
27. Thomas Everett
28. Darren Woodson
29. DeMarco Murray
30. Dan Reeves
31. Roy Williams
32. Walt Garrison
33. Tony Dorsett
34. Cornell Green
35. Calvin Hill
36. Larry Brinson
37. James Washington
38. Ron Francis
39. Brandon Carr
40. Bill Bates
41. Charlie Waters
42. Randy Hughes
43. Don Perkins
44. Robert Newhouse
45. Manny Hendrix
46. Mark Washington
47. Dextor Clinkscale
48. Daryl Johnston
49. Brett Pierce
50. D.D. Lewis
51. Ken Norton
52. Dave Edwards
53. Mark Stepnoski
54. Randy White
55. Lee Roy Jordan
56. Thomas Henderson
57. Bruce Huther
58. Mike Hegman
59. Darrin Smith
60. Don Smerek
61. Nate Newton
62. John Fitzgerald
63. Larry Cole
64. Tom Rafferty
65. Andre Gurode
66. George Andrie
67. Russell Maryland
68. Herb Scott
69. Henry Melton
70. Rayfield Wright
71. Mark Tuinei
72. Ed Jones
73. Larry Allen
74. Bob Lilly
75. Jethro Pugh
76. Flozell Adams
77. Tyron Smith
78. Leon Lett
79. Harvey Martin
80. Tony Hill
81. Terrell Owens
82. Jason Witten
83. Kelvin Martin
84. Jay Novacek
85. Kevin Williams
86. Butch Johnson
87. Jay Saldi
88. Michael Irvin
89. Billy Joe Dupree
90. Jay Ratliff
91. Matt Vanderbeek
92. Tony Tolbert
93. Anthony Spencer
94. Charles Haley
95. Chad Hennings
96. Marcus Spears
97. La'Roi Glover
98. Greg Ellis
99. George Selvie
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
