Poor Leon Lett

by Dave Halprin on Jun 20, 2006 1:33 PM CDT in Dallas Cowboys News

Poor Leon Lett, the guy was a phenomenal player for the Cowboys during the 90's dynasty. Lett was big, strong and quick as a cat, but he will forever be remembered for two plays that rank amongst the worst gaffes ever on the football field. The DMN ran an article yesterday outlining the biggest blunders in Dallas sports history. Of course Leon makes the list along with two others. Most people remember Jackie Smith's error, but I didn't recall the Danny White blunder.

Leon Lett's Blunders

Super Bowl XXVII, January 31, 1993; 1993 Thanksgiving game

What happened: Lett, the Cowboys' talented but troubled defensive lineman, could have his own top-10 list. In fact, on ESPN's 25 Biggest Sports Blunders, he occupies two of the top three spots. His premature celebration in Super Bowl XXVII is the gold standard. An oblivious Lett allowed Bills receiver Don Beebe to poke the ball out of his hands for a touchback as Lett rumbled toward the end zone. But what really sticks in the minds of Dallas sports fans is Lett's infamous Thanksgiving game performance the next year against the Miami Dolphins. With his teammates celebrating a blocked last-minute Miami field goal, Lett tried to recover the ball, ultimately fumbling it back and gift-wrapping a chip-shot winning field goal for the Dolphins.

During the Super Bowl game against the Bills when Don Beebe ran down Lett, he had 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Imagine his line if he had scored; 1 sack, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD. Instead, everyone remembers just one thing, Beebe running him down as he celebrated too early.

Jackie Smith's drop

Super Bowl XIII, January 21, 1979

What happened: The toughest inclusion on the list, Smith's simple drop may be the most painful. Smith, in the last season of a Hall of Fame career, hadn't caught a pass all season. But with the Cowboys trailing 21-14 in the third quarter against Pittsburgh, he broke wide open in the end zone. Roger Staubach's slightly underthrown pass bounced harmlessly off Smith's hands, and instead of a sure touchdown, the Cowboys were forced to settle for a field goal. The Steelers won, 35-31.

Danny White's audible

Dec. 11, 1983

What happened: Trailing 14-10 and facing a fourth and inches from his own 49-yard line in a crucial late-season showdown against the Redskins, quarterback Danny White talked Tom Landry into letting him try to draw the Redskins offside. But with one second on the play clock, White audibled for a Ron Springs run, which resulted in a 2-yard loss. The play shifted the momentum of the game, with Landry, famed for his calm and composed demeanor, losing it, berating White on national TV and screaming "No, no, no, Danny, no!" Dallas lost, 31-10.

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Leon Lett vs Jackie Smith

I think Jackie Smith's TD drop in Super Bowl XIII was worse than both Big Cat Lett's SB and Turkey Day blunders, because it was truly the difference in SB13.

Just think, if the former All-Pro Tight End catches that pass, we'd be on top with six Super Bowl titles -- not just the five we've got now.

I gotta hear it from this friend and co-worker of mine who's a 49ers fan who constantly says that they got their fifth SB win before us, they have a better SB winning percentage than us, and they lead the all-time series against us.

One more reason I want us to win it all in 2006-2007... so I can rub it in his Fools Gold face!

"WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!" - Ric Flair

by kcbrett5 on Jun 20, 2006 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

I remember

that Danny White blunder very well, the expression on Tom landry screaming NO-NO-NO when he saw danny audibling for the run left and the tongue lashing he gave danny when he came off the field, definitly the turning point of that game, should of just took the five yard penealty for delay of game and punted the damn ball.

by Deke on Jun 20, 2006 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

Jackie Smith drop all time worst blunder

Leon Lett's blunders cost us nothing but the all time SB single game scoring record and a regular season victory, however, like silverblue said, Jackie Smith in all probability cost us SB XIII.

To me, it ranks as the all time worst moment in Cowboy history.

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jun 20, 2006 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

Gotta agree with Terry

Jackie Smith's drop probably did cost us a SB.

However, have you seen the classy responses from his teammates in interviews about it? Staubach goes on about how bad his pass was and the others stand by their teammate. Shows much more character than, say, a receiver calling his QB gay.

Fear is just frozen adrenaline.

by abileneblues on Jun 22, 2006 8:37 AM CDT reply actions