Larry Cole
Larry Rudolph Cole (born November 15, 1946) is a former American football defensive lineman who played his entire 13-season National Football League (NFL) career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1968 to 1980.[1] Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 252 pounds, Cole demonstrated versatility by lining up at both defensive end and defensive tackle, accumulating 59 sacks over 176 regular-season games.[1] A key contributor to the Cowboys' defenses known as the "Doomsday Defense," he participated in five Super Bowls, securing victories in Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII, and helped the team claim five NFC championships.[2] At the time of his retirement, Cole held the franchise record for most playoff appearances with 26 games.[3] Named a runner-up for Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1968 after joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of college programs at the United States Air Force Academy and the University of Houston, he later authored a memoir detailing his experiences during the Cowboys' golden era.[1][4]Early years
Childhood and family background
Lawrence Rudolph Cole was born on November 15, 1946, to parents Rudolph and Violet Cole in rural Minnesota, where he spent his early childhood on the family's working farm outside Clarkfield in Yellow Medicine County.[5] The Cole household exemplified a self-sufficient, labor-intensive agrarian lifestyle typical of mid-20th-century Midwestern farm families, with daily responsibilities centered on crop cultivation, livestock maintenance, and seasonal fieldwork that demanded physical robustness from all members.[6] This environment, devoid of modern conveniences or external financial support, fostered early habits of diligence and resilience, as Cole later recounted the manual demands of farm chores shaping his foundational work ethic.[5] At age 12, in 1958, the family relocated to the west side of Granite Falls, approximately 20 miles southeast of Clarkfield, transitioning from isolated rural farming to a small-town setting while maintaining ties to agricultural labor through work on local farms.[6] Adolescent experiences there involved continued heavy physical exertion, such as baling hay and operating machinery, which Cole credited with building the stamina and endurance that later underpinned his professional athletic longevity amid the rigors of NFL defensive line play.[5] The absence of socioeconomic privileges in this traditional, merit-driven family structure—relying on familial cooperation rather than institutional aid—highlighted a trajectory rooted in personal effort, free from interventions that might dilute self-reliance.[7]Education and early athletics
Cole attended Granite Falls High School in Granite Falls, Minnesota, graduating in 1964.[1] During his high school years, he participated in football as a standout player for the school's Kilowatts team, where his physical prowess, developed partly through farm work in the region, contributed to his emergence as a promising athlete.[5] In his junior year, Cole first drew attention from college scouts while competing in football, highlighting his potential as a defensive lineman despite the small-town setting.[5] No specific records of participation in other sports at Granite Falls High School are documented in primary accounts, though his overall athletic reputation centered on football skills honed in local competitions. Following graduation, Cole secured a football scholarship to the United States Air Force Academy, where he began higher education and initial collegiate athletics as a defensive lineman.[6] His time at the Academy introduced rigorous military discipline, including structured training that emphasized physical conditioning and accountability, which he later credited with shaping his work ethic.[2] This preparatory phase was interrupted by a cheating scandal at the institution, leading to his departure after limited tenure.[6]Professional football career
College football
Cole initially played college football as a defensive lineman for three years at the United States Air Force Academy, where the program's emphasis on discipline and physical conditioning helped develop his raw athleticism.[8][2] Following a cheating scandal at the academy in which he was not implicated, Cole transferred to the University of Hawaii, rejoining several former Air Force teammates, for the 1967 season.[6][7] At Hawaii, Cole established himself as a standout on the defensive line, serving as one of the team's top performers and playing a key role in achieving the program's first winning season (6-4 record) since 1917.[6] His combination of size (6-foot-5, approximately 250 pounds), strength, and the technical refinements from Air Force training enabled him to disrupt opposing offenses effectively, drawing attention for his potential in professional football.[1][9] This senior-year performance highlighted his transition from academy-level fundamentals to competitive university play against more varied opponents in the NCAA University Division (now Division I).[10]NFL draft and rookie season
Cole was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 16th round (428th overall) of the 1968 NFL Draft, marking him as the first player from the University of Hawaii—and Hawaii in general—to be drafted into the league.[1][11] As a late-round selection from a non-traditional football program, few anticipated significant contributions from Cole, yet his persistence in training camp secured a roster spot amid low initial expectations for such picks.[12] Initially positioned as an offensive lineman upon signing with Dallas, Cole was shifted to defensive end during the first week of training camp under head coach Tom Landry, adapting to the team's complex Flex defense that emphasized multiple fronts and versatility.[13] In his rookie season, he appeared in all 14 regular-season games, starting 10, and contributed to a Cowboys defense that limited opponents to an average of 85 rushing yards per game.[7] One notable early highlight came on October 13, 1968, when Cole scored his first NFL touchdown via a 21-yard fumble return against the Washington Redskins at D.C. Stadium.[2] Cole's integration involved a steep learning curve in Landry's disciplined, innovation-driven system, where rookies often rotated across special teams and defensive roles to build depth; his quick adjustment helped bolster the unit during Dallas's 12-2 regular season, though snaps remained rotational behind established veterans.[14] This period laid the foundation for his defensive specialization, focusing on run stopping and occasional pass-rush duties without immediate starring prominence.[15]Mid-career contributions and Super Bowl appearances
During the early 1970s, Cole solidified his role as a starting defensive end and tackle on the Dallas Cowboys' renowned Doomsday Defense, contributing alongside Hall of Famer Bob Lilly and linemates Jethro Pugh and George Andrie to form one of the NFL's most formidable front fours.[2] By 1971, he started all 14 games at left defensive end, recording an estimated 8 sacks in a season where the Cowboys' defense ranked third in the league in points allowed (222) and supported an 11-3 regular-season record en route to Super Bowl VI.[16] This unit's emphasis on run-stopping and quarterback pressure exemplified the 4-3 scheme under coordinator Ernie Stautner, with Cole's versatility allowing him to shift positions as needed, often drawing double-teams that freed up linebackers like Chuck Howley.[2] From 1971 to 1975, the Cowboys consistently ranked among the NFL's top defenses, allowing an average of 15.9 points per game in 1971 and maintaining elite run defense rankings, which Cole bolstered through his pass-rush production—part of his career total of 59 sacks, with significant contributions in these years despite unofficial tracking pre-1982.[1] The defense's dominance, including holding opponents to under 300 total yards in key games, stemmed from causal factors like disciplined gap control and physicality, rather than reliance on star power alone; Cole's low-profile style, avoiding media spotlight, exemplified how interior linemen's unglamorous efforts often received less acclaim than skill-position players, even as they enabled team success.[7] Cole appeared in five Super Bowls across his career, starting at left end in the first two and providing rotational depth in later contests as a defensive end/tackle hybrid. In Super Bowl V on January 17, 1971, against the Baltimore Colts, he started but the Cowboys lost 16-13 amid offensive struggles. He rebounded in Super Bowl VI on January 16, 1972, helping limit the Miami Dolphins to 3 points in a 24-3 victory, with the defense's shutout performance underscoring the unit's preparation and execution.[1] Subsequent appearances included Super Bowl X (a 21-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 18, 1976), Super Bowl XII (a 27-10 win over the Denver Broncos on January 15, 1978, where the Cowboys' flex defense neutralized the run game), and Super Bowl XIII (a 35-31 loss to the Steelers on January 21, 1979). While individual stats like tackles were not formally recorded in that era, Cole's presence on winning rosters in VI and XII highlighted his reliability in high-stakes pressure situations.[1][2]Later years, retirement, and career statistics
In the later stages of his career from 1976 to 1980, Cole continued to contribute as a defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys despite the physical demands of the position and advancing age, registering 4.5 sacks in both the 1976 and 1980 seasons while adapting to rotational roles amid emerging younger talent.[1] During this period, he appeared in Super Bowl X following the 1975 season (a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers) and Super Bowl XIII after the 1978 season (another defeat to the Steelers, 35-31), showcasing endurance in high-stakes playoff games but highlighting the toll of repeated intense competition.[1] Cole's productivity persisted through minor injuries and the rigors of trench warfare, including an interception returned for a touchdown in 1980 against the Washington Redskins, underscoring his opportunistic play even as his snap counts diminished.[1] Cole retired in March 1981 at age 34, following the 1980 season, as the final member of the original Doomsday Defense unit, attributing the decision to the cumulative physical wear from 13 years of professional football rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.[7] His unwavering loyalty to a single franchise exemplified a rare commitment in an era of increasing player mobility, prioritizing team continuity over personal accolades or contract pursuits.[17] Over his 13-year tenure, Cole amassed 176 games played, 14 fumble recoveries, 59 sacks, and 4 interceptions, culminating in 2 Super Bowl victories (VI and XII) across 5 appearances—a record for defensive linemen at the time of retirement.[1] [18] These totals reflect a gritty, under-the-radar style that prioritized team defense over individual stats, contrasting with flashier peers who garnered more media attention but often lacked his longevity and franchise devotion.[7]| Career Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 176 |
| Sacks | 59 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 14 |
| Interceptions | 4 |
| Super Bowl Wins | 2 |