Sept. 17, 1961
Cotton Bowl |
The second-year franchise opened the season with the most incredible performance in the Cowboys' brief history.
Their first NFL victory after an 0-11-1 inaugural season displayed the grand theatrical aspects of pro football: the great comeback (10 points in the final 56 seconds) built around a great defensive play (middle linebacker Jerry Tubbs' leaping interception of Bobby Layne's pass up the middle at the Dallas 38 with 10 seconds left) coupled with a great offensive play (Eddie LeBaron's 41-yard pass to Bill Howton, who stepped out of bounds on the Pittsburgh 21 with one second left), leading to one final opportunity under terrific pressure.
Rookie kicker Allen Green, who earlier had missed field goals from 41 and 35 yards and had a punt blocked, this time kicked true from 27 yards, and the Cowboys finally had a victory to celebrate.
