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About the series
Each week, staff writer Ray Buck takes a look at the history of the Cowboys - from a great game to a singular moment to a memorable player - in his online-exclusive offering, Old 'Boys Club.
Next Friday
"The catch" by "Bullet" Bob Hayes that turned Tom Landry’s head for the first time. Hint: The game was played in Oklahoma.
Each week, staff writer Ray Buck takes a look at the history of the Cowboys - from a great game to a singular moment to a memorable player - in his online-exclusive offering, Old 'Boys Club.
Next Friday
"The catch" by "Bullet" Bob Hayes that turned Tom Landry’s head for the first time. Hint: The game was played in Oklahoma.
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Jim Myers worked 25 years for Tom Landry and met seven U.S. presidents.
He’s not sure which was a bigger honor.“I never think about looking back — that’s my philosophy,” said the 86-year-old Myers when asked to pinpoint a favorite season, a favorite game, a favorite play with the Cowboys.“It was all fun.”Here’s one for you, Jim.“You’re the Oldest Living Cowboy.”“Hmm. I am?” he replied. “I guess you’re right.”And here’s another one: When Dallas won Super Bowl VI (Jan. 16, 1971), Myers heard the frantic call of his name inside the locker room.“Coach Myers, Coach Myers ... telephone. Hurry up, it’s for you.”When Myers picked up the phone, it was Richard Nixon calling from the White House.The President had just finished watching Dallas’ offense rack up 23 first downs and 252 yards rushing — both Super Bowl records at the time — against Miami’s highly-touted “No-Name Defense.”Nixon wanted to congratulate the winning offensive line coach.“I don’t imagine too many assistant coaches have gotten a phone call from the President of the United States,” recalled Myers, who lives with his bride of 62 years, Carolyn, in Dallas.For 25 Cowboys seasons (1962-86), Myers took a Marine-style approach to his job. He was fair — but firm. Tough love, they call it now.He could crack a wall with his voice.The results were five Super Bowl appearances, three Super Bowl rings and 18 Pro Bowlers. Oh, yeah, and one Hall of Famer ... Rayfield Wright.“I’m a bowl man,” Myers said proudly.Aside from five Super Bowls with the Cowboys, Myers appeared in two Rose Bowls (UCLA line coach) and one Sugar and one Orange (both as a University of Tennessee guard).But it was his time in Southern California (1949-56) that would open the door on a quarter-century career with the Cowboys.“While at UCLA, I got to know Tex Schramm, who was general manager of the LA Rams,” Myers said. “He tried to get me to come over to the Rams and be their offensive line coach ... but I wasn’t interested in pro football.“I mean, we were having a lot of success at UCLA.”The ’54 UCLA team went 9-0 under Red Sanders to gain a share (with Ohio State) of the national championship. The Rose Bowls appearances came in January 1952 and 1954, both loses to Michigan State.But the Bruins lost only about two games a year while Myers was at UCLA. This success would earn him a head coaching job — first at Iowa State (1957), then Texas A&M (1958-61).After four losing seasons in Aggieland (12-24-4), Myers was offered another four-year contract by the school president.Myers took one look at the deal and gasped: “I’d just as soon be fired as have a contract like this.”“OK ... you’re fired,” came the reply.Myers — a family man with three kids — was suddenly out of a job. But not for long.“I don’t know if what I said was stupid or smart,” Myers recalled. “But it turned out to be the best thing I ever did.”Two days later, he was working for the Cowboys.Remember Schramm? Well, he was now president of the NFL’s Dallas expansion team. The Cowboys (0-11-1 and 4-9-1) were getting ready for their third season. The so-called “Landry System” was now in place on both sides of the ball.
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