Jerry Tubbs: The Unstoppable Sooner and the Heart of the Early Cowboys Defense

🏈 The Man Who Simply Didn’t Know How to Lose

In the history of college football, few players can claim a perfect record over a three-year varsity career, but Jerry Tubbs is one of them. Born in Throckmorton County, Texas, Tubbs was a cornerstone of Bud Wilkinson’s legendary Oklahoma dynasty during their historic 47-game winning streak. A rare three-way threat, he dominated as a fullback, anchored the line as a center, and terrorized quarterbacks as a linebacker. From picking off three passes in a single game against rival Texas to spending nearly three decades in a Dallas Cowboys uniform as a player and coach, Tubbs’ legacy is defined by unmatched versatility and a relentless winning pedigree.

Football Bio

January 23, 1935 – Throckmorton County, Texas – Oklahoma’s fantastic fullback, linebacker, and center, Jerry Tubbs, was born. According to his bio on the NFF website, in Jerry’s 3 seasons with the Sooners, they played 31 games and never lost a single one! Tubbs started out as a fullback in 1954, averaging over 6 yards per carry, but in 1955, his coach moved him to center, and remarkably, the bold move paid even greater dividends as the Sooners’ rushing attack became even more fierce with Tubbs blocking up front. As a linebacker in 1955, he was everywhere; in fact, in the Texas game that year, he picked off 3 Longhorn passes. The National Football Foundation selected Jerry Tubbs to enter their ranks of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Tubbs had an 11-year pro career as a linebacker for the Chicago Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. He then had a 21-year career as an assistant coach with the Cowboys.

A Dynasty Standard: From Norman to Dallas

Jerry Tubbs was the ultimate “football player’s football player.” At Oklahoma, he was the first Sooner to win the Walter Camp Award and finished fourth in the 1956 Heisman Trophy voting—a nearly unheard-of feat for a player who spent much of his time at center. His transition to the professional ranks saw him become a foundational piece of the Dallas Cowboys expansion era. As the team’s first regular starting middle linebacker, he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1962 and eventually transitioned into a player-coach role under Tom Landry. His coaching tenure was equally storied, as he helped guide the “Doomsday Defense” to five Super Bowl appearances and two world championships, proving that whether he was wearing a helmet or a whistle, Jerry Tubbs was a magnet for excellence.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1996)
• 2-time National Champion (1955, 1956)
• Walter Camp Award Winner (1956)
• Unanimous First-Team All-American (1956)
• NFL Pro Bowl Selection (1962)
• 2-time Super Bowl Champion Coach (VI, XII)
• UPI Lineman of the Year (1956)
• Oklahoma Football All-Century Team Member
• First Player to Regularly Start at MLB for the Dallas Cowboys
• 4th Place in 1956 Heisman Trophy Voting
• Academic All-American (1956)