Lilly, "Bob" (Robert L.)
Football
b. July 26, 1939, Olney, TX
An All-American tackle at Texas Christian University in 1960, Lilly was the first player ever chosen in the NFL college draft by the Dallas Cowboys when they entered the league in 1961.
The Cowboys used the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Lilly at defensive end at first, but he was then moved to tackle in Tom Landry's flex defense. Playing slightly off the line of scrimmage, Lilly's job was to read the play quickly and then react to it. His size and speed made him the key player in the famed "Doomsday Defense."
Quick to the ball, Lilly recovered 16 of the opposition's fumbles and returned them for 109 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had a touchdown on a 17-yard interception return. In a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI, Lilly set a record by tackling Miami quarterback Bob Griese for a 29-yard loss.
Lilly was an All-Pro eight times, from 1964 through 1969 and from 1971 through 1972. He played in 292 games, including playoff games, and missed only one before retiring after the 1974 season.