Tom Rafferty, Dallas Cowboys Ironman and Super Bowl Champ, Passes Away at 70

Let’s take a breath and try to swallow this one without exploding, because Tom Rafferty is gone, folks. Yes, THE Tom Rafferty — the beast of a man who bullied defenders with a purpose, stood tall through 14 grueling seasons of Dallas Cowboys football, and somehow managed to be the lineman who protected two eras of Cowboy legends: Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. Rafferty died at 70 after a stroke laid him low earlier this year. The man was an ironman for the blue and silver, and his departure hits the heart like an unexpected sack on a third and long.

Born in New York, raised by grit and heart, and honed at Penn State, Rafferty was basically a Swiss Army knife for the Cowboys’ offensive line. Drafted in 1976, Tom didn’t just fill a spot; he cemented a dynasty’s backbone. By 1977, he was starting at right guard—a position known for knocking heads and swallowing pain—and that very season Dallas dropped the Denver Broncos 27-10 to win Super Bowl XII. That ring was just the opening act for Rafferty’s legendary run.

Now, hold onto your hats, because Rafferty was in the trenches during what must’ve been the NFL’s most dramatic game of musical chairs. A year later, a bruising loss to the mighty Steelers in Super Bowl XIII reminded everyone the NFL is a cruel mistress. But Rafferty kept grinding.

Speaking of legendary plays, remember January 3, 1983? When Tony Dorsett sprinted 99 yards for a touchdown running through a gaping hole that seemed born from some secret Dallas voodoo? Rafferty threw an absolutely pivotal block on that play. Funny thing—Dallas accidentally had 10 men on the field (whoops). That’s NFL chaos at its finest, and yet, somehow, Rafferty and the boys kept the game moving forward.

Fast forward to 1989, and you’ve got Rafferty holding down the center spot (because he’s a man of many talents) during Troy Aikman’s rookie year. Spoiler alert: that season was a dumpster fire. The Cowboys limped to a 1-15 record, but Rafferty was there, stoic and steady through it all.

If you don’t realize how rare it is to stick around in the NFL for 14 seasons, then you’ve probably been living under a rock—or worse, rooting for a constantly tanking team. Rafferty is one of a dozen Cowboys with that kind of longevity. Think about that: the NFL eats players alive, and Rafferty was a guy who chewed it right back.

So Why Should We Care?

Because Rafferty represents the old-school grit that’s been vanishing faster than the concept of defense in today’s NFL. He was the kind of guy who showed up to work, day after day, no fanfare needed, being the unsung hero that makes star quarterbacks look good. Without linemen like Rafferty, there is no Roger Staubach launching bombs, no Troy Aikman carving defenses, and no Tony Dorsett blazing 99 yards into history.

And maybe most importantly, Rafferty’s story reminds us that football is a team game no matter how many highlight reels say otherwise. It’s about reliability, toughness, and playing through the blood, sweat, and tears—to use clichés, because sometimes they’re the best damn words for the job.

What’s Next for the Cowboys?

Rafferty’s passing is a sobering moment for Dallas and football fans everywhere. It signals the end of an era where men were, bluntly put, gladiators on a field that was no place for the faint of heart.

The Cowboys must honor legends like Rafferty by building a team that plays hard, respects the game’s history, and fights for every inch, every second. They have bright young talent, sure, but the ghosts of players like Rafferty remind the franchise what true commitment looks like.

In an NFL world obsessed with flashy stats and highlight catches, remember: games are won in the trenches, where guys like Tom Rafferty lived and ruled.

Final Thoughts

Here’s to Tom Rafferty, the workhorse of Dallas’ offensive line, a Super Bowl champ, and an ironman who earned his place in Cowboys lore. At 70, he passed away after a stroke that ended his last battle, but the legacy? That lives forever.

So next time you watch a Cowboys game, or heck, any NFL game, spare a thought for the guys who aren’t in the headlines but are holding the line so the stars can shine. Tom Rafferty was one of those guys. And he damn well deserves the loudest cheers today.