We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 66) 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 66
Ralph Neely
Born: September 12, 1943. Little Rock, Arkansas
Position: Offensive tackle
Dallas Cowboys: 1965-1977
Awards: Super Bowl champion- VI, XII
All-Pro- 1967, 1967, 1968, 1969
Pro Bowl– 1967, 1969
NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
Photo by Shelly Katz /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Ralph Neely played offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1977, becoming one of the franchise’s foundational linemen during its rise to prominence under Tom Landry. Originally drafted by both the NFL and AFL, Neely chose the Cowboys as the team entered its birth into the NFL and quickly became a starter for the team. He was a key member of the offensive line for 13 seasons and was known for his strength, consistency, and ability to play both tackle spots. Neely earned multiple All-Pro selections and helped Dallas win two Super Bowls, anchoring an offensive line that powered the team’s success in the 1970s.
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Best known for:
Neely was best known for his versatility and dominance as a tackle, serving as a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive line for 13 seasons and playing a major role in their first Super Bowl championship.
Lesser known fact:
Neely was involved in a legal dispute between the NFL and AFL over his draft rights, a case that delayed his rookie season and later became a pivotal moment in the eventual merger of the two leagues.
Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images
