Part of the Greatest Players by Number Series

Jersey #39

If you thought some of the other numbers were bad, we’ve now reached perhaps the worst jersey number in franchise history. Six players have worn #39, including five running backs and one defensive back.

Derrick Gainer, RB, Florida A&M, 1992-93

Statistics: Gainer gained 29 yards rushing with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played for parts of two seasons with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: Gainer’s biggest contribution came in the 1992 playoffs when he scored a touchdown against the Eagles. He was the otherwise used as a special teams player.

E.J. Jones, RB, Kansas, 1987

Statistics: Jones rushed for 7 yards as a replacement player in 1987.

Accolades: Replacement player.

Longevity: Replacement player.

Intangibles: Replacement player.

Ryan Neufeld, FB, UCLA, 1999

Statistics: Neufeld did not record any statistics of note with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: He later played for the Jaguars and most recently with the Bills, seeing most of his action with Buffalo.

Lousaka Polite, FB, Pittsburgh, 2004-06

Statistics: Polite caught 12 passes for 97 yards and also rushed for 26 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played three seasons in Dallas.

Intangibles: Polite was a below-average blocking fullback with the Cowboys. He spent last season with Chicago but played very little.

Broderick Sargent, FB, Baylor, 1989

Statistics: Sargent rushed for 87 yards with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He played one season in Dallas.

Intangibles: He started five games in 1989, but that was his last NFL season. He later played in the Arena Football League.

Donald Smith, S, Liberty, 1991

Statistics: Smith recorded a total of two special teams tackles with the Cowboys.

Accolades: None.

Longevity: He dressed for three games with the Cowboys.

Intangibles: He was a 10th round pick by Minnesota in 1990 but did very little in the NFL.

Poll

Here are the results of the poll for this number:

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If you still want to vote, please make a comment below.

My Vote: Gainer

Given that we really don’t have any good choices in this list, I am left with two factors: (1) do I go with a player who is an alumnus of my current employer (see Robert Williams and Thomas Everett; but see Ron Francis)?, or (2) do I go with a player who scored a touchdown in a playoff game, of which I happen to have a copy? For purposes of showing said game clip, I’m going with Gainer.

Sargent deserves consideration because he actually started a few games at fullback. The others were minor role players who accomplished very little with Dallas.