Roger Staubach Biography Quotes 21 Report mistakes

Early Life and Education
Roger Thomas Staubach was born on February 5, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in a working-class, Midwestern environment that prized discipline, faith, and sport. He attended Purcell High School (now Purcell Marian), where his combination of poise, arm strength, and mobility made him stand out in football. After graduating, he spent a formative year at New Mexico Military Institute, a step that sharpened his academic preparation and reinforced the leadership habits that would define him. That path led him to the United States Naval Academy, where he would become one of the most celebrated college quarterbacks of his era.

Naval Academy and National Stardom
At the Naval Academy in Annapolis under head coach Wayne Hardin, Staubach rose from promising underclassman to national sensation. In 1963 he delivered one of the greatest seasons in college football history, guiding Navy to a No. 2 national ranking and earning the Heisman Trophy, along with other major awards. His command of the option offense, quick decision-making, and accuracy made him a nightmare for defenses. The season culminated in a Cotton Bowl appearance against Texas, further solidifying his status as the face of Navy football. Along the way he handled the rigors of service academy life, excelling in a demanding environment that stressed honor, academics, and military readiness.

Military Service
Upon graduating from the Naval Academy in 1965, Staubach was commissioned as a Navy officer. Diagnosed with partial color blindness, he was steered into the Navy Supply Corps rather than a line command. He embraced the assignment, serving stateside and overseas, including a tour in Vietnam at Chu Lai, where he worked in logistics. Those years gave him real-world leadership experience under pressure and deepened his sense of duty and teamwork, qualities that would transfer seamlessly to professional football. Even as the Dallas Cowboys had drafted him as a "future" pick in 1964, he honored his commitment and completed his service before pursuing the NFL.

Entry into the NFL
Staubach joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1969 at age 27, later than most rookies, and entered a franchise meticulously built by general manager Tex Schramm and personnel chief Gil Brandt under the cool, methodical leadership of head coach Tom Landry. Early on he shared time with quarterback Craig Morton, learning Landry's complex offense and acclimating to the professional game. His maturity, honed by the Academy and the Navy, helped him absorb an intricate system and earn the trust of a veteran locker room populated by stars such as Bob Lilly. Within two seasons, his blend of improvisation and structure made him the clear choice to lead.

Rise to Championships with the Cowboys
By 1971 Landry committed to Staubach as the starter, and the Cowboys surged. They won Super Bowl VI, defeating Miami, with Staubach named the game's Most Valuable Player. He became synonymous with the Cowboys' identity: disciplined, resilient, and inventive. Surrounded by impact players like Drew Pearson, Tony Dorsett, and a ferocious defense that included Randy White and Harvey Martin, he guided Dallas to perennial contention. The team returned to the pinnacle with a victory in Super Bowl XII and reached the NFL's biggest stage several other times, including classic clashes with the Pittsburgh Steelers led by Terry Bradshaw and coached by Chuck Noll.

Signature Moments and Rivalries
Staubach's career is studded with defining moments. None is more famous than the 1975 playoff game at Minnesota, where his deep throw to Drew Pearson produced the term "Hail Mary pass" after he quipped that he had said a Hail Mary as he launched it. The play, contested fiercely by Vikings defenders and debated for years by fans, captured Staubach's nerve and knack for late-game drama. In Super Bowls X and XIII against the Steelers' dynasty, he dueled Bradshaw and a defense stacked with legends, cementing one of the NFL's great inter-conference rivalries of the decade. His reputation as "Captain Comeback" came from a long list of fourth-quarter rallies that became part of league lore.

Leadership and Playing Style
Staubach brought a rare blend of structure and spontaneity. Landry's precision-based offense made exacting demands, and Staubach met them while retaining the freedom to create under duress. His quick reads, footwork, and mobility outside the pocket redefined how NFL teams imagined the quarterback position. Teammates credited him with accountability and calm; opponents respected his toughness. With Schramm's organizational vision and Brandt's pioneering scouting work providing the roster foundation, Staubach became the steady presence who turned the Cowboys into "America's Team", a moniker born of the franchise's visibility and success.

Accolades and Career Milestones
Over 11 NFL seasons from 1969 through 1979, Staubach earned six Pro Bowl selections and guided Dallas to multiple conference championships and two Super Bowl titles. He retired after the 1979 season, citing concern over injuries, including concussions, and a desire to pursue opportunities beyond the field. His overall winning percentage as a starting quarterback ranked among the best of his era. He entered the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor and, in 1985, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognition that placed him firmly among the game's immortals. His college legacy was similarly honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Transition to Business
Staubach began preparing for life after football well before he took his final snaps. While still playing, he worked in commercial real estate in Dallas and co-founded The Staubach Company in 1977, focusing on tenant representation. He approached business the way he approached the huddle: emphasize preparation, build trust, and elevate teammates. The firm grew into a national presence serving blue-chip clients, standing out for its disciplined culture and ethical approach. In 2008 it was acquired by Jones Lang LaSalle, and Staubach served in senior leadership roles as the combined company expanded its reach. His success in business made him a model for athletes planning for careers beyond sport.

Personal Life and Community Engagement
Staubach married Marianne, and their family life remained an anchor throughout the moves, deployments, and the pressures of professional football. Known for his faith and civic-mindedness, he played a prominent role in Dallas-area philanthropy, supporting education, veterans, and children's health initiatives. He was recognized by the NFL with its Man of the Year honor for community service. He continued to appear at Cowboys events, strengthening ties across generations of players, from Bob Lilly's era to teammates like Drew Pearson and Tony Dorsett, and supporting broader alumni efforts in the community.

Later Recognition and Enduring Legacy
Decades after his last game, Staubach's name still resonates as a symbol of leadership and integrity. In 2018 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, reflecting achievements that spanned military service, athletic excellence, business leadership, and civic commitment. His career offers a template: master your craft, uplift those around you, meet pressure with poise, and prepare for the next chapter while still writing the current one. Guided by mentors such as Wayne Hardin at Navy and Tom Landry in Dallas, and supported by organizational leaders like Tex Schramm and Gil Brandt as well as teammates who shared the stage, Roger Staubach's story remains one of American sports' most complete portraits of success on and off the field.

Our collection contains 21 quotes who is written by Roger, under the main topics: Witty One-Liners - Motivational - Sports - Equality - Work Ethic.

Other people realated to Roger: Mike Ditka (Coach), Bob Hayes (Athlete)