Tony Liscio, who helped pave way for Cowboys’ first Super Bowl title, dies at 76

Tony Liscio, who entered Dallas Cowboys lore forever when he came out of retirement to help the Cowboys win the Super Bowl in the 1971 season, died Sunday, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Liscio was 76 and a resident of Lake Highlands.

His wife of 54 years, Annette, told the Morning News he had been diagnosed with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, last year.

At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Liscio played left tackle and guard for the Cowboys. He was a native of Pittsburgh and starred at the University of Tulsa on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Green Bay drafted him in the third round, 42nd overall, in 1963. Being used on defense, he was released before the season opener. The Cowboys picked him up on waivers and by the end of the 1963 season he was starting at left tackle.

He was traded to the San Diego Chargers in the deal for receiver Lance Alworth in May 1971. Plagued by injuries, he was traded in September to the Miami Dolphins but never reported, announcing his retirement.

In November 1971, the Cowboys called him after injuries to tackle Ralph Neely and his backup, Don Talbert. He helped take the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory over the Dolphins that season. He retired after the victory.

He told the Star-Telegram’s Carlos Mendez about the comeback for a 2004 article.

“Ralph Neely had broken his leg in a motorcycle accident. His backup had a broken bone in his foot. Forrest Gregg had pulled a hamstring. So, they were down to only one tackle, Rayfield Wright,” Liscio said. “Coach [Tom] Landry had been calling around, and he called, and I said I had to think about it, and how long do I have? He said 30 minutes. So, I went out there. I played every down all the way to the Super Bowl.”

This story was originally published June 19, 2017 at 12:20 AM with the headline "Tony Liscio, who helped pave way for Cowboys’ first Super Bowl title, dies at 76."