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Charlie Waters

Charlie Tutan Waters (born September 10, 1948) is a former American football safety who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, where he was a key contributor to the team's renowned "Doomsday Defense" and helped secure two Super Bowl championships. Born in Miami, Florida, Waters relocated with his family to North Augusta, South Carolina, at age 10 due to his father's work in construction at the Savannah River Site. There, he starred in football and baseball at North Augusta High School, earning a spot in the 1965 Shrine Bowl before graduating in 1966. At Clemson University, Waters began as a quarterback but transitioned to wide receiver, setting a school single-season record with 44 receptions for 738 yards in 1969 and earning First-Team All-ACC honors as a senior; his career totals included 68 catches for 1,196 yards. Selected by the in the third round (66th overall) of the , Waters initially played before shifting to , starting at free as a with five interceptions and All-Rookie honors. He later moved to for four seasons and then strong from 1975 to 1981, amassing 41 career interceptions (third in Cowboys history), nine playoff interceptions (an NFL record at the time), and two blocked punts in one playoff game. Waters appeared in five Super Bowls with Dallas, winning after the 1971 season and after 1977, while earning three selections (1976–1978) and two nods (second-team in 1977, first-team in 1978). Over his Cowboys tenure, he never played on a losing team and missed the playoffs only once, appearing in 160 games before coaching roles with the and in the 1990s.

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Charlie Waters was born on September 10, 1948, in Miami, Florida. His family relocated to when he was 10 years old, settling in North Augusta, where his father worked as a crane operator in construction at the . In North Augusta, Waters was immersed in a local environment that fostered athletic development, with the community's emphasis on sports providing early opportunities for physical activity. Family influences further shaped his interests; his brother, Keith Waters, pursued at the collegiate level, attending on a scholarship, which exposed Charlie to competitive sports dynamics from a young age. This blend of familial encouragement and regional sporting culture introduced him to and during his formative years. Waters graduated from North Augusta High School in 1966, marking the end of his pre-collegiate upbringing.

High School Achievements

Charlie Waters attended North Augusta High School in , where he emerged as a standout in both and . In , Waters initially played as a before transitioning to , showcasing his versatility and earning recognition as one of the state's top prospects. His performance culminated in his selection to the 1965 Shrine Bowl, an featuring elite high school talent from the region, where he represented as a . This honor highlighted his leadership and skill on the field, contributing to his recruitment by major college programs. Waters also excelled in , demonstrating multi-sport prowess that underscored his athletic development during his high school years in .

College Career

Time at

Charlie Waters enrolled at in 1966 after being recruited as a from North Augusta High School, where his standout performance in the Shrine Bowl helped secure his to play in-state under coach Frank Howard. Initially competing for the starting role, Waters lettered for three seasons from 1967 to 1969, splitting time between and before fully transitioning to the flanker position in his senior year. This switch, prompted by coach Whitey Jordan after Waters lost the starting QB spot to Billy Ammons in 1968, allowed him to leverage his athleticism in the Tigers' offensive scheme, which emphasized a balanced attack with developing passing elements. Over his college career, Waters recorded 68 receptions for 1,196 yards, averaging 17.1 yards per catch, which ranks ninth all-time at Clemson. In 1967 and 1968 as a , he contributed modestly through the air and on the ground while seeing action as a , with 23 catches for 428 yards and two touchdowns. His breakout came in 1969, when he exploded for 44 receptions and 738 yards—setting a Clemson single-season record at the time (later broken by in 1977)—along with four total touchdowns, helping anchor the Tigers' passing game during a 4–6 season. Waters played a pivotal role in Clemson's offensive strategies as a senior , stretching the field with his speed and reliability on deep routes, which complemented the team's run-heavy approach and created opportunities for teammates like Tommy Kendrick. Notable performances included key receptions in matchups, such as against Maryland and North Carolina State, where his yards-after-catch ability sparked drives despite the team's overall struggles. His senior campaign earned him First-Team All- honors, recognizing his emergence as one of the conference's top receivers.

College Honors

During his senior year at Clemson University in 1969, Charlie Waters earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (All-ACC) honors as a , recognizing his standout performance on the field. Waters' contributions to Clemson football were further acknowledged through his induction into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981, honoring his role as a three-year letterman and key player in the program's development during the late . He also received recognition with inductions into the North Augusta Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980, celebrating his foundational impact as a North Augusta High School and Clemson alumnus. These honors underscore Waters' enduring legacy within Clemson's athletic program, where his versatility and productivity as a —highlighted by career totals of 68 receptions for 1,196 yards—helped elevate the Tigers' reputation in the and contributed to the pipeline of talent to professional football.

Professional Career

Dallas Cowboys Career

Charlie Waters was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round, 66th overall, of the , coming out of where he had excelled as a . Despite his offensive background in college, the Cowboys envisioned him as a and transitioned him to that side of the ball upon entering the league. He started at free safety as a in 1970, before moving to for four seasons (1971–1974) and then shifting to strong safety in 1975, where he formed a formidable tandem with and solidified his role in the secondary. Additionally, he blocked three punts in two games, showcasing his special teams contributions. Over his 12-season tenure with from 1970 to 1981, Waters appeared in 160 regular-season games, demonstrating remarkable durability and consistency as a defensive stalwart. His versatility allowed him to contribute across the secondary, often reading quarterbacks effectively and disrupting passing attacks, which became hallmarks of his play style under head coach Tom Landry's innovative defensive schemes. Waters recorded 41 interceptions during his regular-season career, ranking third in franchise history at the time of his retirement and underscoring his impact as a ballhawk in the Cowboys' defense. Notable examples include multiple pick-sixes, such as one against the in 1972 and another versus the in 1975, which highlighted his ability to turn turnovers into scoring opportunities. Throughout his career, he played on teams that never finished with a losing record, reflecting the Cowboys' sustained excellence and his role in their perennial contention during the 1970s.

Super Bowl Victories and Playoffs

Charlie Waters was a pivotal member of the ' defense during their successful playoff eras in the 1970s, contributing to two victories and establishing himself as one of the 's top postseason performers. Over his 12-year career, he appeared in 25 playoff games, starting 22, and played a key role in the Cowboys' seven appearances during his tenure. His postseason prowess was highlighted by nine interceptions, a mark that ties for the record for most career playoff interceptions by a . Waters' first Super Bowl appearance came in on January 16, 1972, where defeated the 24-3 in a dominant defensive display that limited the undefeated Dolphins to just three points. Waters contributed to the ' "" that stifled the Dolphins' no-huddle offense throughout the game. This performance underscored his reliability in high-stakes situations. The Cowboys' path to their second championship under Waters culminated in on January 15, 1978, a 27-10 victory over the in New Orleans. Waters anchored the secondary as part of a defensive unit that forced eight turnovers, including four interceptions, while holding to just 61 passing yards on eight completions. He contributed to containing Broncos quarterback , helping the Cowboys build a commanding lead early and maintain control against 's rushing attack led by Rob Miller and Jack Gregory. One of Waters' most memorable playoff performances occurred earlier that 1977 postseason, during the NFC Divisional round on December 26, 1977, when the Cowboys routed the Chicago Bears 37-7. Waters intercepted three passes from Bears quarterback Bob Avellini for 53 yards, setting an record for most interceptions in a single playoff game by a Cowboy and directly leading to scoring opportunities that propelled toward their triumph. These picks exemplified his football intelligence and coverage skills, often reading quarterbacks and positioning himself for opportunistic plays during the Cowboys' repeated deep playoff runs. Throughout the decade, Waters' consistent postseason contributions helped sustain the Cowboys' status as an NFC powerhouse, with additional interceptions in games like the 1972 NFC Divisional playoff against the (two picks) and the 1979 NFC Divisional against the (two picks), further solidifying his legacy in ' championship pursuits.

Professional Accolades and Statistics

Charlie Waters earned three consecutive selections from 1976 to 1978, recognizing his standout performance as a for the . He also received Second-Team honors in 1977 and 1978, as selected by the , highlighting his contributions to the Cowboys' defensive backfield during those seasons. In 2001, Waters was nominated for induction into the as part of the seniors committee ballot, though he was not selected. Over his 12-year career, exclusively with the Cowboys from 1970 to 1981, Waters never played on a losing team, contributing to 11 playoff appearances and a consistent winning record. Waters' career defensive statistics underscore his impact, with a total of 41 s across 160 , ranking him among the notable defensive backs of his era. He recorded 584 interception return yards and two touchdowns from those picks, alongside 7.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 6 fumble recoveries. His nine postseason s further enhanced his statistical profile, tying the for most in playoff history.

Post-Retirement Activities

Broadcasting Career

After retiring from his playing career following a brief stint with the in 1982, Charlie Waters transitioned into sports , drawing on his experience as a two-time champion safety to provide expert analysis. In 1983, he joined as a for games, partnering with play-by-play announcer on several broadcasts that season. One notable assignment included the season-opening matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and , where Waters offered insights into defensive strategies during the telecast. Waters' CBS role lasted one season, during which he filled in for suspended announcers and provided commentary on key regular-season games, such as the Philadelphia Eagles versus Denver Broncos contest. His on-air presence was marked by a straightforward style informed by his 12 years in the NFL, though the network did not renew his contract after 1983 amid roster changes in their broadcast team. Following a period focused on coaching, Waters returned to broadcasting in 2006 when the hired him as the color analyst for their radio network, replacing Babe Laufenberg. In this role, he partnered with play-by-play voice to cover the team's games, delivering analysis during the that highlighted his intimate knowledge of Cowboys defensive schemes. Waters' contributions were described as solid and professional, enhancing the broadcast with perspectives from his playing days alongside legends like . He departed the Cowboys radio booth after that single season, announcing in February 2007 that a packed schedule of other commitments prevented him from continuing. This brief return to media work underscored Waters' enduring connection to the Cowboys organization and his ability to translate on-field expertise to audience commentary, though he shifted focus back to coaching thereafter.

Coaching Positions

After retiring from playing, Charlie Waters joined the coaching staff in 1988, initially serving as special teams and assistant defensive backs coach before progressing to defensive backs coach from 1989 to 1992. He was promoted to in 1993 under head coach , where the team ranked ninth in win percentage and fourth in point differential, while the defense ranked 19th in total yards allowed, contributing to a 9-7 regular season record and a playoff berth. The unit emphasized aggressive coverage and timely pressures, allowing just 17.8 points per game while forcing 33 turnovers, though the Broncos fell 42-24 to the in the wild card round. In 1994, Waters remained as defensive coordinator, but the Broncos' defense regressed, with the team ranking 17th in win percentage and 20th in point differential, while the defense ranked 28th in total yards allowed, amid a 7-9 finish that excluded them from the playoffs. The decline, coupled with injuries and offensive inconsistencies under Phillips, led to the head coach's dismissal and a subsequent staff overhaul, ending Waters' tenure with Denver after seven seasons. Transitioning to college football, Waters became defensive coordinator at the University of Oregon in 1995 under first-year head coach Mike Bellotti. At , Waters implemented a balanced 4-3 scheme focused on run-stopping and pass disruption, as the Ducks' defense limited opponents to 292.9 yards per game (105.7 rushing and 187.2 passing) and 22.7 points per game across 12 contests. This performance supported a 9-3 overall record (6-2 in the Pac-10), a No. 18 final ranking, and a Cotton Bowl invitation, though Oregon lost 38-6 to . Waters' one-year stint concluded with his retirement from coaching at age 47, shifting focus to other pursuits.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family Matters

Charlie Waters married actress and model Rosie Holotik on January 5, 1977. The couple settled in and raised three sons: Cody, the eldest, followed by and Cliff. The family's life was shattered on December 4, 1995, when their 17-year-old son Cody died suddenly in his sleep at the family home in , just weeks before his 18th birthday. Rosie Waters discovered him unresponsive around 7 a.m., with his playing music, and he showed no signs of illness prior to the event. An conducted shortly after failed to identify a , classifying it as a medical mystery despite extensive testing. In the wake of the , the Waters family expressed deep and over the lack of answers, with Charlie Waters describing it as an unnatural loss that left them seeking further scientific explanation. The remaining family members, including and Cliff, drew closer, providing mutual support as they coped with the loss. Throughout Waters' shifts from playing professional football to coaching and broadcasting, his family offered steadfast encouragement, helping him navigate these changes. The profound impact of Cody's death also influenced Waters' decision to step away from coaching roles soon after.

Later Life and Honors

Following his one-season tenure as for the Dallas Cowboys radio network in 2006, Waters retired from broadcasting and coaching roles, transitioning to a lower-profile existence focused on business and personal pursuits. He joined , where he has worked in the natural gas and propane sector, including co-managing aspects of a related gas marketing company with longtime teammate . Waters received several honors recognizing his contributions to football in his later years. In 2008, he was inducted into the North Augusta Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his roots as a high school standout in his hometown. He was named to the Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2020 and formally inducted during a ceremony in July 2021, celebrating his journey from to NFL stardom. That same year, Waters earned induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame for his 12-season career with , including two victories and three selections. In August 2021, he presented former teammate for enshrinement into the , underscoring their enduring bond from the Cowboys' defensive backfield. In September 2025, Waters was nominated as one of 13 senior candidates for the Class of 2026. As of 2020, Waters maintained a low-profile life in the area with his wife, Rosie, having stepped back from public engagements after these honors. His legacy endures as a icon, known for his versatility as a , leadership in championship teams, and role as a mentor to younger players through coaching and speaking appearances.

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