NFF Gold Medal Recipients
Biography
A fixture in the Dallas area for more than 40 years, Roger Staubach has shined in everything he has pursued, and his drive for excellence has garnered him national attention as the consummate leader on and off the playing field.
Staubach, a native of Silverton, Ohio, was a natural athlete and earned letters in three sports while attending the United States Naval Academy. As only a sophomore, Navy coach Wayne Hardin started Staubach in the second half of the Cornell game, hoping to give his Midshipmen a spark. Staubach led Navy to six touchdown drives that game, and a few weeks later, led his team to a 34-14 upset over Army. The following season proved even more successful, as he was named the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner and Maxwell Award recipient.
Although drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1964, Staubach did not start playing until 1969 due to military commitments. He chose to volunteer for a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam, then spent the rest of his Naval career in the United States, playing football on various Naval service teams. As a 27-year-old Vietnam Vet, Staubach rejoined the Cowboys just in time for training camp. He served as a back-up his first two seasons, but garnered the starting spot in 1972. He would go on to lead Dallas to two Super Bowl victories, claiming MVP honors in the 1972 victory. He also landed five trips to the Pro Bowl.
Staubach was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame four years later. Known for his humanitarian efforts, he has received numerous awards for civic service, most recently accepting the Natural Leader Award at the Billiard Ball to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas. For over 25 years, he has been the chairman and CEO of The Staubach Company, a Dallas-based real estate strategy and service firm with 60 offices throughout North America. The company finished the 2006 fiscal year with 6,750 transactions totaling $26 billion.
