Dallas Cowboys Legend Tom Rafferty, Super Bowl Champion, Dies at 70

The sports world mourns the loss of Tom Rafferty, a true gridiron titan and 1978 Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, who passed away Thursday in Colorado at the age of 70. Rafferty, a standout offensive lineman, had been hospitalized since early May following a recent stroke.

From 1976 to 1989, Rafferty was a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive line, playing both guard and center with unmatched grit. His protection was instrumental for Hall of Fame quarterbacks like Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, paving the way for some of the team’s most iconic plays. One unforgettable moment came in January 1983, when Rafferty’s pivotal block sprung Tony Dorsett for a record-breaking 99-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings—a play still etched in NFL history.

Rafferty’s journey to stardom began at Penn State, where he honed his skills before being selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. His crowning achievement came in 1978, earning a Super Bowl ring as the Cowboys triumphed over the Denver Broncos. Though he fell short in another Super Bowl appearance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his legacy on the field remains untarnished.

After hanging up his cleats, Rafferty transitioned to a quieter life in sports equipment sales, but his impact on the game never faded. He leaves behind his loving wife, two children, and grandchildren, who will carry forward the memory of a man who was as formidable off the field as he was on it.

Tom Rafferty wasn’t just a protector of quarterbacks; he was a protector of dreams for every Cowboys fan. His loss is a reminder of the giants who built the game we love.