Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 3)

We countdown the days to kickoff giving you an interesting fact about each number. Today is number 3

We are at day 3 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 3.

The fastest touchdown ever recorded in the NFL was by a Dallas Cowboys player, and it was scored just 3 seconds after kickoff.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Andy Reid has consistently demonstrated a willingness to adopt an aggressive approach during games. However, in his fourth season with the Eagles, this boldness proved to be counterproductive when they encountered a unique situation: trailing by a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys just three seconds into the game, a scenario unprecedented in the history of the league.

In a significant Week 6 matchup in 2003 featuring the Cowboys and the Eagles, kicker David Akers initiated the game with an onside kick. However, rather than the Eagles recovering the ball, Cowboys receiver Randal Williams intercepted it mid-air, demonstrating his preparedness for the play and marking the beginning of a record-setting event.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Williams earned a reputation as a remarkably swift player. As he secured the ball, Williams utilized his remarkable quickness to evade a tackle attempt by an Eagles player, making a direct dash toward the end zone. This remarkable 37-yard return consumed merely three seconds of game time, establishing an NFL record that remains unbroken. Given the recent changes to kickoff regulations, it appears that this record may never be surpassed.

Dallas ultimately triumphed in the match with a score of 23-21, underscoring the significance of the touchdown in securing their victory.