Title: NFL Legend Walt Garrison Passes Away at 79: A Cowboy in Every Sense
Walt Garrison, a true icon in the world of American sports, breathed his last at the age of 79. The former Dallas Cowboys great and rodeo cowboy, who once led the Big 8 in rushing as an Oklahoma State Cowboy and hoisted the Super Bowl trophy with the Cowboys, leaves behind a legacy that transcends the boundaries of football and rodeo arenas.
Garrison’s journey from the dusty fields of Oklahoma to the hallowed turf of the NFL is a tale that will forever echo in the annals of American sports history. Drafted in the fifth round from Oklahoma State University, he embarked on a nine-year career with the Dallas Cowboys, etching his name as the No. 3 rusher and No. 4 receiver in franchise history upon his retirement in 1974. To this day, he stands fourth on the all-time list for Dallas, boasting an impressive 4.32 yards per carry and ninth with 3,491 rushing yards.
However, it was Garrison’s dual life as a rodeo cowboy that truly set him apart. During his rookie season, he was merely a little-used backup, returning punts and kicks, and covering on the kamikaze squad. Yet, after team meetings, he would leave the football field to compete in local rodeos as a fearless steer wrestler. His grit and determination were evident as he’d rush back to the hotel before the 11 p.m. curfew.
“I wasn’t starting,” Garrison modestly recalled. “I was returning punts and kicks and covering on the kamikaze squad, that’s all I was doing. And hell, you could get hurt worse on them than you can rodeoing. I didn’t think much about it, but the Cowboys did.”
Garrison’s moonlighting, however, did not sit well with Cowboys coach Tom Landry, who promptly prohibited it during the NFL season. Undeterred, Walt continued his rodeo pursuits in the offseason, a decision that showcased his indomitable spirit. He humorously reflected on the situation, saying, “Coach Landry pointed out that there was a clause in my contract that if I got hurt doing another sport, that my contract would be null and void. And I said, ‘OK.’ I didn’t think rodeo was that dangerous.”
The parallels between rodeo and football were not lost on Garrison. He compared the adrenaline-fueled, three-to-four-second rush of wrestling a steer to the typical length of an NFL play. The energy and focus required in bulldogging mirrored the intensity of a football game, making him a true cowboy in every sense.
Garrison’s crowning moments in the NFL came during the early 1970s when he helped the Cowboys secure victory in Super Bowl V against the Baltimore Colts and Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins. His performances in these pivotal games showcased his versatility as a player and his unwavering commitment to his team.
In 1972, Garrison earned a Pro Bowl nod after rushing for an impressive 784 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 390 yards and three more scores as a receiver. His contributions on the field solidified his status as a Cowboys great.
Tragically, in 1975, Garrison suffered a devastating knee injury while steer wrestling, ultimately forcing him to retire from the NFL at the age of 30. His journey, marked by courage and determination, came to an end on the gridiron, but his legend would live on.
Garrison’s legacy extends beyond the football field and rodeo arena. In 1964, he led the Big 8 in rushing, outpacing the legendary Gayle Sayers. His collegiate career at Oklahoma State was nothing short of remarkable, earning him a well-deserved place in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State Athletics Hall of Honor.
The accolades continued as Garrison was named to the Dallas Cowboys’ 25th-anniversary team, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. His impact on the world of sports and the lives he touched are immeasurable.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable cowboy, we remember Walt Garrison not only as a football legend but as a true American hero who embodied the spirit of grit, courage, and determination. His legacy will forever inspire generations to come, proving that true cowboys live on in the hearts and minds of those who dare to dream and chase their passions, on and off the field. Walt Garrison, you will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
