Card: Score Supplemental 1989
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1992
Thomas Everett signed with the Cowboys in the final years of Plan B from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992. A graduate from Baylor University in Waco, Thomas Everett was the winner of the Jim Thorpe Trophy in 1986, at a day and age where Baylor was known in college for its amazing defensive pedigree and not as a college doormat. A consistent and dependable safety, in 5 years with the Steelers Thomas would make 16 interceptions and 315 tackles before heading over to the Cowboys where he started at strong safety, playing alongside and mentoring young Darren Woodson. Everett would provide stability at the position, helping the Cowboys earn a SuperBowl appearance after the 1992 season and again in 1993 when he shifted to free safety for the season. After the conclusion of the 1993 season in which he only started 9 games, Everett would sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played well through 1995, starting 25 games and retired where he has now gone into coaching in the Dallas area.
G/Gs 128/117 Tac 565 Sac 1 Fum 4 Int 21 Yds 255 Avg 12.1 Td 0 Lg 32
Cards: ProSet 1989, Fleer 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, 1992, 1997, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
Bill Bates is a special player and is one of those players of Dallas Cowboys lore. Undrafted out of Tennessee in 1983, he’d sign a free agent contract with Tom Landry’s Cowboys, where Bates excelled as a fan favorite and a special teams commando.. Undersized and considered slow, Bates had a heart and a motor that made up for both of those shortcomings. His ability to get down the field and uncannily make the jarring hit on the returner was so unbelievable that the NFL basically created a special teamer’s slot in the Pro Bowl just for him. He was named AP and to the Pro Bowl in 1984. Bill early in his career was also utilized well on safety blitzes as he made 9 sacks over his first two seasons. He had a career high 4 interceptions in 1985 and a career high 124 tackles in 1988 from his strong safety position. With a new coach on board (Jimmy Johnson) in 1989 there was some fear that Bates would be cut. Instead he found himself back on special teams again where he remained a key backup with the team through 2 Superbowl victories and retirement after the 1997 season.
Bill has remained quite active since retirement and has spent time as an assistant coach with the Jags and at the high school level. He’s been a motivational speaker, penned his own autobiography and owns a ranch outside of Dallas. -And of course Bill Bates remains a Cowboys spokesperson.
G/Gs 217/47 Tac 667 Sac 18 Fum 7 Int 14 Yds 122 Avg 8.7 Td 0 lg 29
Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1990
I think James Dixon was the first Action Packed card I ever got autographed. After being cut by the Detroit Lions in the preseason, James would be a savvy free agent find by Jimmy Johnson. Originally from the University of Houston in 1989, Dixon was a speedy special teams player and kick returner.
His rookie season was a great start as James 47 returns led the NFL in 1990, while his 1181 yards would rank 3rd. Dixon’s return numbers in fact were the highest seen by a Dallas Cowboy since the merger. He’d also chock in a 97 yard touchdown. Dixon was the Cowboys primary long bomb threat, averaging just below 20 yards a catch on 477 yards receiving. He’d have 2 TDs receiving, including a 75 yard bomb. These would all be career highs as his return yardage and receiving statistics would slip until 1991 when he only suited up for 7 games. It’d be enough for him to make the cut for Tecmo Super Bowl.
James later resurfaced in the Arena leagues in 1994 playing for Fort Worth. He’d make 9 td grabs on 405 yards.
