Roger Staubach Childhood

Roger Thomas Staubach was born on February 5, 1942 in Cincinnati, OH. He is the son of Elizabeth and Robert Staubach. Sports were always part of Roger’s life. He loved the game of baseball and was a big Cincinnati Reds fan. He not only watched sports, he played them as well as Roger became a well-rounded athlete growing up. 

Roger Staubach High School Stats and Awards

Staubach attended Purcell High School. He was a three sport athlete as he played baseball, basketball and football. Although Staubach had interest from major college football programs, Staubach decided to join the Naval Academy. 

Roger Staubach College Stats and Notes

Staubach played for the Navy from 1962-64. He threw for 3,799 yards, 18 TDs and 20 INTs while completing 314 of 494 passes during his college career. Staubach and the Midshipmen had a great 1963 season. He threw for over 1700 yards and led his team to a Cotton Bowl appearance. For Staubach, he was the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner. The accolades didn’t end there for the Navy quarterback as we he was named the Maxwell Award winner, College Football Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American selection.

Roger Staubach NFL Career Stats and Notes

Staubach was selected in the 10th round of the 1964 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys (129th overall). However, due to his military commitment he didn’t start playing professional football until 1969. 

Once under center, Staubach was the catalyst for the Cowboys to become ‘America’s Team’. The Cowboys, although they didn’t win or go to the most Super Bowls in the 1970s, was the most popular team. This was due to their glamorous looking uniforms, the star on the helmet and they were contenders year in and year out. With all the flash the Cowboys had, it wouldn’t have mattered if they weren’t winning and Staubach always had his team in a position to win. He spent his entire 11 year career in the NFL with the Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls. He would retire after the 1979 season. A six time Pro Bowl selection, Staubach was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Roger Staubach 1975 NFC Divisional Game Hail Mary Pass

With nicknames like ‘Captain America’ and ‘Captain Comeback’, Staubach’s play at the quarterback position during the 1970s made the Cowboys one of the decade's best teams. Also knows as ‘Roger the Dodger’, Staubach's legacy grew every time he extended drives and plays using his scrambling ability to lead the Cowboys on late game drives to victory. Espectilly in big games. 

One of the most famous games of his career encapsulated all of his nicknames. During a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff game, the Cowboys trailed the Minnesota Vikings 14-10 late in the fourth. With seconds left at midfield, Staubach launched a last effort pass deep to the end zone. As the Hall of Fame QB recalled, he said a Hail Mary prayer while the ball was in the air. Wide receiver Drew Pearson came down with the ball and scored the game-winning TD. Captain America saved the Cowboys as they won 17-14. This is when the popularity of the Hail Mary pass began.