Countdown to the season opener: Day 88 Bill Bates

We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 88) with some Cowboys history

We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.

Today – number 88.

Bill Bates

Born: June 6, 1961. Knoxville, Tennessee
Position: Safety
Dallas Cowboys: 1983-1997
Awards: Super Bowl champion- XXVII, XXVIII, XXX
Pro Bowl– 1984

Photo by Rich Pilling/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Bill Bates played for the Dallas Cowboys for an extraordinarily length of time – 1983 to 1997 – and became one of the most beloved and respected players in franchise history. Undrafted out of Tennessee, Bates earned a roster spot through relentless effort, toughness, and also for his special teams excellence. Bates played some safety for Dallas early in his career and was an absolute tackling machine, setting a Cowboys single-season record for defensive backs with five sacks.

Though he did play safety and contributed on defense, he made his greatest impact on special teams, where his fearless style of play set the tone for the Cowboys’ unit for over a decade. Bates was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1990s and was known as a team-first player who embodied the Cowboys’ work ethic and grit. John Madden himself once quoted Bates, saying:

“Every game starts with a kick. With Bill Bates on the field, every game begins with a bang!”

During his very lengthy career at Dallas, Bates had racked up 676 total tackles, 18 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and 14 interceptions. To this day, he still sits at the top for Dallas’ as the all-time leader in special teams tackles.

Best known for:
Bates was best known for revolutionizing the role of the special teams player in the NFL and becoming the first-ever recipient of the league’s Special Teams Player of the Year award in 1984.

Lesser known fact:
Bates’ impact on special teams was so significant that his elite play helped influence the NFL to create a Pro Bowl spot specifically for special team aces. His performance was instrumental in the league’s recognition of the position that he was the first recipient to be named to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer.