Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach
Born	Roger Thomas Staubach 5 2, 1942
Birthplace	Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Former professional football quarterback, business executive
Known for	Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, Super Bowl VI MVP, founder of The Staubach Group
Education	United States Naval Academy (B.S.)
Awards	Heisman Trophy (1963), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2018), Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985)

Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942), nicknamed "Roger the Dodger," "Captain America," and "Captain Comeback," is an American former professional football quarterback who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Dallas Cowboys. A standout at the United States Naval Academy, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1963 before fulfilling a four-year military obligation that included a tour of duty in Vietnam. Staubach joined the Cowboys in 1969 at the age of 27 — older than most NFL rookies — and went on to lead the franchise to five Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. He was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl VI, making him the first player to win both the Heisman Trophy and the Super Bowl MVP award. Over his career, he was selected to six Pro Bowls and retired with a career passer rating of 83.4, among the highest in the league at the time. Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, Staubach is the only quarterback to have won both the Heisman Trophy and gained induction into the Hall of Fame. After football, he built a highly successful second career in commercial real estate, founding The Staubach Group and later selling it to Jones Lang LaSalle for $613 million in 2008. In 2018, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Early Life

Roger Thomas Staubach was born on February 5, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a Catholic family in the Cincinnati area, where he developed an early interest in athletics. Staubach attended Purcell Marian High School (then known as Purcell High School) in Cincinnati, where he played football and demonstrated the athletic ability that would later define his career.

During his high school years, Staubach emerged as a talented multi-sport athlete, but it was on the football field where he attracted the most attention from college recruiters. His performance as a quarterback at Purcell drew interest from numerous programs, but Staubach ultimately chose to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland — a decision that would shape both his athletic career and his life of public service.

Education

Staubach enrolled at the United States Naval Academy, where he studied and played football for the Navy Midshipmen. At Navy, he quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football history. His time at the Academy instilled in him the discipline and leadership qualities that would become hallmarks of both his football career and his post-athletic business ventures. Staubach graduated from the Naval Academy and received his commission as an officer in the United States Navy, accepting the service obligation that came with his education — a commitment that would delay his professional football career by four years.

Career

College Football

Staubach's college football career at the Naval Academy was among the most decorated in the sport's history. Playing for the Navy Midshipmen, he became known for his exceptional scrambling ability and improvisational skills — qualities that earned him the nickname "Roger the Dodger."

In 1963, as a junior, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy, college football's most prestigious individual award, recognizing him as the outstanding player in the nation. That same season, he was also honored with the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's best quarterback. He was named to the Walter Camp All-America team as well.

Staubach's Heisman-winning season coincided with one of the most dramatic moments in American history. He appeared on the cover of Life magazine in late November 1963, but the issue was recalled and never widely distributed following the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The cover, which had been prepared in advance to celebrate Staubach's Heisman campaign, became one of the most famous magazine covers that was never published.

Despite the interruption of his football career by military service, Staubach's college accomplishments placed him among the elite players in Navy football history and in the broader annals of college football.

Military Service

Upon graduating from the Naval Academy, Staubach was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and was required to fulfill a four-year service obligation before he could pursue a professional football career. He served from 1965 to 1969, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. During his service, Staubach was assigned to the Navy Supply Corps and completed a tour of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

While serving in the military, Staubach continued to stay in football shape and played in service football games when possible, keeping alive his dream of eventually playing in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys had selected him in the 10th round (129th overall pick) of the 1964 NFL Draft, despite knowing they would have to wait at least four years for him to complete his military commitment. He was also drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 16th round (122nd overall pick) of the 1964 AFL Draft.

The Cowboys' willingness to draft Staubach so far in advance and wait for him proved to be one of the most astute personnel decisions in NFL history. His military service, far from diminishing his abilities, reinforced the leadership, discipline, and mental toughness that would define his professional career.

NFL Career with the Dallas Cowboys

Staubach joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1969 at the age of 27, making him considerably older than most NFL rookies. He arrived as the team's second major franchise quarterback following the retirement of Don Meredith in 1968. Despite his late start, Staubach worked his way into the starting lineup and established himself as one of the most effective quarterbacks of his era.

Rise to Starter and Super Bowl VI

Staubach competed for the starting quarterback position with Craig Morton during his first few seasons with the Cowboys. The quarterback controversy was eventually resolved in Staubach's favor, and he took over as the full-time starter. His impact was immediate and profound.

In the 1971 NFL season, Staubach led the Cowboys to Super Bowl VI, where Dallas defeated the Miami Dolphins. Staubach was named the game's Most Valuable Player, completing 12 of 19 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. With that honor, Staubach became the first player in football history to win both the Heisman Trophy and the Super Bowl MVP award — a feat later accomplished by only three other players: Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen, and Desmond Howard.

"Captain Comeback"

Throughout his NFL career, Staubach became renowned for his ability to lead dramatic come-from-behind victories, earning him the nickname "Captain Comeback." He engineered numerous fourth-quarter rallies that became the stuff of NFL legend. His poise under pressure and ability to perform in clutch situations distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.

Staubach's scrambling ability, which had earned him the nickname "Roger the Dodger" in college, remained a significant part of his game in the NFL. Over his career, he rushed for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns — impressive numbers for a quarterback of his era.

Super Bowl XII and Continued Success

Staubach led the Cowboys to Super Bowl XII following the 1977 NFL season, where Dallas defeated the Denver Broncos. This was his second Super Bowl championship and the team's second under his leadership. In total, Staubach led the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances during his career, four as the starting quarterback — an extraordinary achievement that cemented the Cowboys' reputation as "America's Team" during the 1970s.

Career Statistics and Retirement

Over his eleven NFL seasons (1969–1979), all with the Dallas Cowboys, Staubach compiled an impressive statistical record. He completed 1,685 of 2,958 pass attempts (57.0%) for 22,700 yards, with 153 touchdowns and 109 interceptions. His career passer rating of 83.4 was among the highest in NFL history at the time of his retirement. He was selected to six Pro Bowls during his career.

Staubach retired after the 1979 season. He later spoke publicly about the role concussions played in his decision to leave football, revealing that he had suffered numerous concussions during his career. In a 2013 interview, Staubach discussed the impact of head injuries on his decision to retire, stating that concussions were a factor in ending his playing days.

Post-Football Business Career

Following his retirement from professional football, Staubach transitioned into the commercial real estate industry. He founded The Staubach Group, a commercial real estate services firm based in Dallas, Texas. Under his leadership, the company grew into one of the largest tenant representation firms in the United States.

In 2008, Staubach sold The Staubach Group to Jones Lang LaSalle, one of the world's largest commercial real estate services companies, in a deal valued at $613 million. Following the acquisition, Staubach became executive chairman of the Americas region of Jones Lang LaSalle, a position he held until his retirement from the business world in 2018.

Staubach's success in real estate demonstrated his ability to translate the competitive drive and leadership skills honed on the football field into the business world. His post-football career established him as one of the most successful athlete-turned-businessmen in American history.

Personal Life

Staubach has been noted throughout his public life for his disciplined character and the values instilled during his time at the Naval Academy and in the military. He has remained closely associated with the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, where he built both his football legacy and his business career.

In a 2013 interview with USA Today, Staubach discussed the long-term effects of the concussions he sustained during his football career, contributing to the broader public conversation about player safety in the NFL. He acknowledged that the accumulation of head injuries was a significant factor in his decision to retire from professional football at the end of the 1979 season.

Staubach has been active in public speaking and civic engagement throughout his post-football life. He has delivered keynote addresses at various national events, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention.

Recognition

Staubach's athletic and professional achievements have earned him numerous honors and awards throughout his life.

In college football, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1963, the Davey O'Brien Award, and was named a Walter Camp All-American. These honors recognized him as the outstanding college football player in the nation during his junior season at the Naval Academy.

In professional football, Staubach was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl VI in 1972 and was selected to six Pro Bowls during his eleven-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, his first year of eligibility. Staubach holds the distinction of being one of only ten players to have won both the Heisman Trophy and been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the only quarterback among that group.

The United States Naval Academy has recognized Staubach as one of its most notable graduates.

In 2018, Staubach was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizing his achievements in athletics, business, and public service.

Legacy

Roger Staubach's legacy extends across multiple spheres — as a college football icon, an NFL champion, a military veteran, and a business leader. His career trajectory, from Heisman Trophy winner to naval officer to Super Bowl champion to real estate mogul, is unusual in the history of American professional sports.

On the football field, Staubach defined the Dallas Cowboys' identity during the 1970s, a decade in which the franchise earned its "America's Team" moniker. His clutch performances, including numerous fourth-quarter comebacks, set a standard for quarterback play under pressure that continues to be referenced in discussions of the position's greatest practitioners. The combination of his scrambling ability and passing accuracy made him a prototype for the modern mobile quarterback.

Staubach's decision to honor his military commitment before pursuing professional football, at the cost of four prime athletic years, has been cited as an example of personal integrity and duty. He entered the NFL at 27 and still managed to compile a Hall of Fame career in just eleven seasons — a testament to his talent and competitiveness.

In the business world, Staubach's founding and growth of The Staubach Group into a firm worth more than $600 million demonstrated that his competitive instincts and leadership abilities were not confined to athletics. The sale to Jones Lang LaSalle in 2008 marked one of the largest transactions involving a company founded by a former professional athlete.

His receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018 acknowledged the totality of his contributions to American life — in the military, in sports, and in business. Staubach remains one of the most recognized and respected figures in the history of the Dallas Cowboys and of the NFL as a whole.