Super Bowl champion, former Cowboy Walt Garrison was one of a kind

<h1>Remembering Walt Garrison: A True Cowboy Legend</h1>

<p>Just over a year ago, a few of Walt Garrison’s former teammates paid him a surprise visit at his dementia care facility, and the sight was enough to warm anyone’s heart. There he sat, with three other men at a card table, wearing his signature cowboy hat and a smile that could light up a room. Garrison greeted Cliff Harris, a Hall of Fame safety, with his nickname “Crash,” as if no time had passed. For an hour, they shared stories and laughter about their days as Dallas Cowboys, even though Garrison occasionally became confused and thought he was still at his ranch outside Lewisville.</p>

<p>Walt Garrison, the larger-than-life fullback who dominated NFL linebackers on the field and wrangled steers off it, passed away earlier this week at the age of 79. Drafted by the Cowboys in 1966 out of Oklahoma State, Garrison left an indelible mark on the franchise, ranking third in rushing yards and fourth in receiving yards in team history. Over his nine-year career, he scored 39 touchdowns.</p>

<p>Garrison was known for his toughness, matched only by fellow Cowboy Randy White. In the 1970 NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Garrison played with a cracked collarbone and ankle injury, rushing for 71 yards, catching three passes for 51 yards, and scoring a touchdown to help secure the team’s first Super Bowl appearance. The following year, before the NFC Championship game against the Niners, Garrison accidentally cut his thumb with a knife. Despite the gruesome injury and 16 stitches, he still managed to have an exceptional game. Cliff Harris, his roommate at the time, thought Garrison might bleed to death, but instead, he witnessed his friend deliver yet another outstanding performance.</p>

<p>Garrison’s sense of humor was as legendary as his tough-as-nails demeanor. He often joked about his relationship with head coach Tom Landry, claiming Landry didn’t remember his name until his third year in the league. He also had a mischievous side, once bringing smokeless tobacco for his teammates to try during training camp, much to their regret. One evening, after trying the tobacco, Harris and quarterback Roger Staubach became incredibly ill, forcing the team to cancel their offensive meeting for the night.</p>

<p>Garrison was not only a football star but also a man of many talents. He excelled in rodeo competitions during the off-season, even winning the Oklahoma State Hall of Fame distinction and being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He was known for his charitable work, raising over $4 million for multiple sclerosis with his All-Star Rodeos. In addition to his sporting achievements, Garrison was a published poet, and his poem “People are Funny Critters” can still be found on YouTube.</p>

<p>Walt Garrison was a true cowboy in every sense of the word. His larger-than-life personality, toughness, and sense of humor made him a beloved figure among his teammates and fans. He will be remembered as one of the most colorful and unforgettable individuals to ever wear a Dallas Cowboys uniform.</p>

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John Smith

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