We’re officially 58 days away until the Dallas Cowboys kick off their season in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and I’m back with another Countdown to Kickoff post.
While 58 days may seem like a long time, don’t worry, it will go by fast.
Plus, at least Training Camp is coming up!
With that in mind, I don’t want to hold you up as you kick your weekend off.
So, let’s dive right into today’s post.
Here are all of the players who have worn #58:
- Kyle Bosworth, LB (2013-2013)
- Joe Bowden, LB (2000-2000)
- Jack Crawford, DE (2014-2016)
- Dixon Edwards, LB (1991-1995)
- Austin Faoliu, DT (2021-2022)
- Jeff Grau, C (2002-2002)
- Mike Hegman, LB (1976-1987)
- Nate Hemsley, LB (1997-1999)
- Orie Lemon, LB (2012-2012)
- Louis Mackey, LB (2001-2001)
- Damontre Moore, DE (2017-2017)
- Cal Peterson, LB (1974-1975)
- Robert Quinn, DE (2019-2019)
- Scott Shanie, LB (2004-2005)
- Aldon Smith, DE (2020-2020)
- Jason Williams, LB (2009-2010)
Like in my Greatest #59 post that crowned LB Dat Nguyen, I was surprised at the large number of LBs that wore this number, so to no surprise, another linebacker was selected.
But after doing several run-throughs of all the players above, the one player that stood out the most was LB Dixon Edwards.
While I did consider LB Mike Hegman, who was a staple of the team’s defense during the 1980s, Edwards got the nod slightly because of the shiny hardware he snagged during his time with the Cowboys.
Dixon Edwards NFL Career
Drafted in the second round (37th overall) in the 1991 NFL Draft, Edwards was a star coming out of Michigan State. Although the hype was there for him coming out of East Lansing, Edwards spent his first two seasons on special teams before becoming a full-time starter at strongside linebacker in Year 3.
In his first season as a starter, Edwards had 82 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Additionally, he would make his first appearance in the Super Bowl but saw limited action in the franchise’s back-to-back Super Bowl victory over the Buffalo Bills.
From there, Edwards would put together three productive seasons, finishing among the team’s leaders in tackles, and grab two more Super Bowl rings.
Statistically, his best year came in 1995, when he finished with 109 tackles.
After five seasons, Edwards departed to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency after the Cowboys couldn’t afford to sign some of their big-name defenders from their SB-winning squads, and they opted to try to replace them through the draft.
Nonetheless, Edwards was another one of those players that came through the franchise that you could depend on at all times, and despite his small frame, he had blazing speed to make up for it.
Do they remember the under sized bit big heart Dixon Edwards ?
6’1 230 linebacker. But made up for with heart.
1994 104 tackles
1995 109 tackles3 rings pic.twitter.com/A32ePrHjLm
— Martin Brian Ansah (@DaAnsahonSports) March 23, 2020
Congratulations to Mr. Edwards on being the Greatest #58 in Dallas Cowboys History.
You’re right about one name standing out..it’s Mike Hegman. Edwards was a nice player but Hegman is the choice. No doubt.
Wrong. Hegman was the better 58. Edwards just happened to be on a ridiculously stacked and talented team. 4 seasons isn’t enough for the 58 title even with the 2 extra rings.
Seriously you need to stop picking players just because they they won more rings. That’s a team accomplishment & has no business being used to determine the better individual player.