Click here for more posts featuring quote trivia and history of the team in quotes.
Dallas fans have enjoyed the luxury of having several great franchise quarterbacks. Although the likes of Craig Morton and Gary Hogeboom played elsewhere, most of the Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks have retired after their playing days in Dallas ended.
Thus, Cowboys fans have not had to experience what Colts fans are experiencing with Peyton Manning, at least when it comes to quarterbacks.
Here are quotes regarding the retirements of some legendary Dallas quarterbacks.
“I don’t want to play with the mental attitude I have.”
Don Meredith after walking away from the game in 1969.
Source: The News and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina), July 6, 1969
“I’ve had this feeling. If I continue to have it, I couldn’t go to training camp like I usually do– which is with everything I’ve got.”
Roger Staubach about his diminished emotion to return to football. He announced his retirement in March 1980.
Source: Anchorage Daily News (featuring a story from the Dallas Times Herald), April 1, 1980
“If they don’t like me, it really doesn’t matter. I can’t worry about the others. I made up my mind three months ago that nothing would surprise me.”
Danny White about his retirement, which he announced in 1989. He was referring specifically to the team taking QB Steve Walsh in the supplemental draft.
Source: L.A. Times, July 12, 1989
“Retirement is a viable option, but based on the fact that I’d like to continue to play, that will be down the road. It’s a matter of finding a situation I can be comfortable in and still play the game that I have a desire to play. I’m still capable of playing at a high level and remaining healthy.”
Troy Aikman after the Cowboys released him in March 2001. He announced his retirement about a month later.
Did You Know?
Several news outlets cited sources in January 1968 that Meredith planned to retire then. That was just after the Cowboys had lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Ice Bowl.

