[tps_title]1. George Andrie, DE, 1962[/tps_title]
While not a Ring of Honor member or Hall of Famer like others in these top spots, George Andrie was one of the earliest defensive stars for the Dallas Cowboys. He was easily the best player to come out of the 1962 draft class; only the second in franchise history.
Andrie earned an immediate starting role as a rookie and played alongside the great Bob Lily on the defensive line. He was one of the key sack artists for the original “Doomsday Defense.”
In one of the most famous games of early Cowboys history, the 1967 “Ice Bowl” against the Packers, Andrie scored a touchdown off of a Bart Starr fumble. He also had an interception in the 1971 NFC Championship game that set up a crucial touchdown.
Dallas would go on to win their first Super Bowl that year.
While sacks weren’t officially recorded until 1982, Andrie is credited with 97 career sacks according to the Cowboys’ unofficial books. The only Dallas player with more sacks (officially) is DeMarcus Ware.
Andrie’s standout play brought five Pro Bowl trips from 1965-1969. He was named a first-team All Pro in 1969 and was on the second team for three years before that.
Given his accomplishments, it’s surprising that George Andrie isn’t held in the same esteem as teammates like Lily, Lee Roy Jordan, or Mel Renfro. But clearly, his is legacy much closer to those Cowboys legends than most other from that era.
And for where he was drafted, Andrie’s great career is made all the more outstanding.
