DALLAS COWBOYS SUPER BOWL LEGEND - LEON LETT

In an earlier blog, I stated that the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Green Bay Packers was their most embarrassing loss in their playoff history. Rightfully so, I didn’t receive much push-back on that statement. An individual then took it a step further and asked about the Dallas Cowboys’ most embarrassing PLAY in a playoff game. He then quickly followed up with the name of the Cowboys’ former Defensive Lineman, Leon Lett. The referenced play was in Super Bowl XXVII (Dallas vs. Buffalo), when Leon Lett scooped up a fumble late in the game and ran toward the end zone. He started to celebrate before he reached the end zone, giving the Bills’ Wide Receiver, Don Beebe, a chance to run him down and knock the ball out of his hands right before the ball reached the goal line. While embarrassing for Lett, it should be noted that the Cowboys were already leading the game by a score of 52-17, so this was meaningless and had no effect on the outcome of the game.

And, yes, Leon is most famous for this other blunder, which happened on Thanksgiving Day in 1993 against the Miami Dolphins. Miami was attempting a game-winning field goal at the end of the game, but it was blocked by Dallas. Everyone thought the game was over, except for Leon Lett, who ran after the ball as it innocently rolled toward the end zone. It was a dead ball as long as no Cowboy players touched it. It would have been game over if all Dallas players stayed away from the ball. Unfortunately, Leon Lett charged after it and tried to recover it, but mishandled it. Miami recovered Lett’s fumble and was given a second chance to kick a game-winning field goal. This time, the kicker did not miss and Miami ended up winning due to an absolutely bizarre ending. Keep in mind, though, that Dallas overcame this Thanksgiving embarrassment and eventually went on to win Super Bowl XXVIII, their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy!

So, yes, those are the two plays that MOST football fans think of when they hear “Leon Lett.”  This is extremely unfortunate and unfair. Any real and avid Cowboys fan will tell you that they LOVED Leon Lett and that he did a lot more good than bad! He was actually on the team during all three of their Super Bowl victories in the 90’s, complemented by two Pro-Bowl selections. 

Leon Lett’s TRUE LEGACY should be his performance in Super Bowl XXVIII, which took place a year after his botched fumble return in a blowout victory. Many fans were laughing at Leon’s expense after Thanksgiving, but Leon got the last laugh on this day. Many would argue that Leon Lett turned the game around and was the key reason Dallas went on to win this game, which was once again versus the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas got off to a very slow start in Super Bowl XXVIII and were actually trailing to Buffalo by a score of 13-6 at the end of the first half. Things were looking a bit rough for the Cowboys, and looking even rougher when the second half began. Buffalo quickly moved the ball near midfield on the first drive of the half and were looking like they were getting ready to drive down the field and put the Cowboys two scores down and gain very strong momentum. But then Leon Lett made his presence known! On a 1st and 10 play on their own 43-yard line, the Bills’ running back Thurman Thomas took a handoff and ran forward for a yard or two before Leon said hello.  Leon punched the ball out of Thomas’ hands. The ball then rolled on the ground briefly before being picked up by James Washington, who returned the fumble all the way for a game-tying touchdown!  Momentum changer, folks? Um, yea!!!

Leon Lett not only forced this huge and pivotal fumble, but he woke up the rest of the team. The offense later followed suit by running down the throats of the Bills’ defense with Emmitt Smith, who scored a touchdown just minutes after Lett’s forced fumble. They were now up 20-13. The Bills never recovered. The final score ended up being 30-13. 

LEON LETT WAS THE HERO OF THIS GAME! 

So, yes, the Dallas Cowboy haters can continue to mock Leon Lett for his two famous blunders, but all the real football fans know that this guy is a Super Bowl legend! If any Buffalo Bills fans laughed at him at the end of Super Bowl XXVII, they certainly didn’t at the end of Super Bowl XXVIII! Hearing the name of “Leon Lett” is almost as painful for Buffalo fans as the name “Scott Norwood” (Wide Right) is!

It’s a shame that many fans aren’t even aware of Lett’s heroics, but, heck, even if they were aware, it’s probably safe to assume that they would ignore it since the Cowboys are one of the most hated teams in the NFL! So keep laughing at him. Keep laughing at Leon as he sits back and looks at pictures of those THREE Super Bowl victories and trophies that he was a key part of.

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