Robert Lewis Lilly (born July 26, 1939), nicknamed " Mr. Cowboy ", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs.

Bob Lilly’s journey with the Dallas Cowboys is more than just a Hall of Fame career—it’s the story of how greatness begins. Drafted in 1961 as the very first pick in franchise history, Lilly didn’t just wear the star; he *defined* what it meant.

Bob Lilly was a two-time All-Southwest Conference pick and a consensus All-America choice at Texas Christian before the Dallas Cowboys' selected him as the franchise's first draft choice in 1961. For the next 14 seasons, his play on defense was so outstanding that he became popularly known as "Mr. Cowboy."

Feb 1, 2025 · Bob Lilly, known as “Mr. Cowboy,” is a legendary figure in professional football. As a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, he played for 14 seasons, earning a reputation as one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 solidified his status as a football icon.

Lilly was the leader of that great TCU defense, winning All- Southwest Conference honors. Although the Horned Frogs slipped to a mediocre 4-4-2 record in 1960, Bob Lilly's individual play continued to draw praises from the experts. Again, he was all-conference and he added consensus All-America laurels.

Lilly was the ring leader of that great TCU defense, winning All- Southwest Conference honors. Although the Horned Frogs slipped to a mediocre 4-4-2 record in 1960, Bob Lilly's individual play continued to draw praises from the experts. Again, he was all-conference and he added consensus All-America laurels.

Throughout his career, Lilly made many big plays but it was a play from Super Bowl six which he remembers fondly. The play that everybody remembers most is my tackle with Bob Greasy in Super Bowl six for twenty-nine yard line.

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for Bob Lilly pro football statistics, stats, transactions, awards, biographical data and more.

Robert Lewis Lilly (born July 26, 1939), nicknamed "Mr. Cowboy", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle. After playing college football for the TCU Horned Frogs, he played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons.

The following year, the Cowboys dominated the Miami Dolphins, 24-3, to win the Super Bowl, the franchise's first. The signature play of the game was Lilly's 29-yard sack of quarterback Bob Griese. There's a photo of Lilly smoking a Cuban cigar afterward. One given to him a season earlier. One that "erased the memories of the year before."