TheDirty Dozen were the rookies that made theDallas Cowboys team in1975. These players were credited with helping the Cowboys advance toSuper Bowl X and were a key foundation of the team's success during the latter half of the 1970s going into the early 1980s, as by1979 many of these players would have replaced many of the Cowboys' aging starters of the 1960s. The rookies came up with the nickname inspired by the film of thesame name, and spent half of the season without shaving.[1]
For all of the accolades that theDallas Cowboys scouting department had received throughout the years, the team had never kept more than ninedraft choices and the average number was keeping six. In1962, 14 rookies made the team - 7 draft choices, 4undrafted free agents, 2 obtained in trades and one claimed off waivers.
In1975, eleven picks and oneundrafted free agent (Percy Howard) made the team, hence the nickname "The Dirty Dozen" for the 1975 Cowboys draft class. This group of rookies didn't even includelinebackerMike Hegman, who wasdrafted that year but did not enter theNFL until1976, nor futureSeattle Seahawks starting quarterbackundrafted free agentJim Zorn who made the team, but was later cut to make room forrunning backPreston Pearson, who had been waived by thePittsburgh Steelers.[2]
The infusion of new talent not only meant an immediate rebuilding process and competition, but also changed the course of the team in a significant way.[3] This group helped the Cowboys reachSuper Bowl X that season, and moving forward would play a key role in the franchise being given the nickname "America's Team".
Thisdraft class is considered to be one of the greatest inNFL history.[4]