Before the Cowboys were 'America's Team', they had Captain America. Roger Staubach arrived in Dallas as a 27-year-old rookie after four years in the US Navy, and by the time he retired he had two Super Bowl rings and had given football its most famous phrase.
This is the story of Roger the Dodger, Captain Comeback and the original Hail Mary. Browse our American football collection.
Roger Staubach Fact File
| Full name | Roger Thomas Staubach |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 5 February 1942 (age 84) |
| Place of birth | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired; Pro Football Hall of Famer |
| Shirt number | 12 |
| Nickname | Roger the Dodger, Captain America, Captain Comeback |
Career History
| Years | Team | Passing yards | TDs | INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962–64 | Navy Midshipmen | – | – | – |
| 1965–69 | US Navy service | – | – | – |
| 1969–79 | Dallas Cowboys | 22,700 | 153 | 109 |
Cowboys figures are regular-season career totals. His record as a starter was 85–29 and his career passer rating 83.4.
Early Years: Navy and the Heisman
Born in Cincinnati, Staubach chose the US Naval Academy and became a sensation, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1963. Navy later retired his No. 12.
After graduating in 1965 he served four years in the Navy's Supply Corps, including a volunteer tour in Vietnam, before finally joining the Cowboys in 1969.
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Breakthrough: Super Bowl VI MVP
Staubach won the starting job in 1971 and led Dallas to their first Super Bowl title, a 24–3 win over Miami in Super Bowl VI, where he was named MVP.
His flair for late drama was already clear. In a 1972 playoff at San Francisco he threw two touchdowns in the final 90 seconds to win 30–28.
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Defining Moment: The Hail Mary
On 28 December 1975, trailing Minnesota 14–10 in the playoffs, Staubach launched a 50-yard pass to Drew Pearson in the final seconds. Dallas won 17–14, and when he later said he had thrown it and said a Hail Mary, the phrase entered sporting language for good.
Two years later he lifted the Lombardi Trophy again, beating Denver 27–10 in Super Bowl XII.
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Later Career
He also played in Super Bowls X and XIII, both narrow defeats to Pittsburgh, and retired after the 1979 season with six Pro Bowls to his name. A dangerous scrambler as well as a passer, he also ran for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns, and his 85–29 record as a starter remains one of the best in NFL history.
Honours
NFL
- Super Bowl champion: VI (1971 season), XII (1977 season)
- Super Bowl VI MVP
- 6× Pro Bowl
College
- Heisman Trophy 1963
- College Football Hall of Fame 1981
Recognition
- Pro Football Hall of Fame 1985
- Presidential Medal of Freedom 2018
Away From the Game
Staubach founded The Staubach Company, a commercial real estate firm, in 1977. It was sold to Jones Lang LaSalle in 2008, and he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
FAQs
How old is Roger Staubach?
Roger Staubach was born on 5 February 1942, so he is 84.
Where was Roger Staubach born?
Cincinnati, Ohio.
How tall is Roger Staubach?
He is 6 ft 3 in, about 191 cm.
What teams did Roger Staubach play for?
He played college football for Navy and spent his whole NFL career, 1969 to 1979, with the Dallas Cowboys.
How many Super Bowls did Roger Staubach win?
Two: Super Bowl VI, where he was MVP, and Super Bowl XII.
What was Roger Staubach's Hail Mary?
His 50-yard winning touchdown pass to Drew Pearson against Minnesota on 28 December 1975, which gave the 'Hail Mary' pass its name.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana.
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