The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Quiz

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Quiz
Image: KT King via Wiki Commons

About This Quiz

If you're a football fan and you're thinking about the most popular teams in the NFL, it's hard to not put the Dallas Cowboys in that conversation, even if you're a fan of the rival Giants of New York City. The Cowboys have been described as America's team, after all, and the franchise certainly has fans all around the United States, from Dallas to Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. The widespread appeal of the Cowboys is what has made the team so popular. 

Of course, the Cowboys wouldn't be much without the legendary figures that have come through the organization, including players, coaches, and even owners. The Cowboys have a rich history of attracting the best talent at every level which has ensured the franchise's success throughout many different decades. 

Are you the ultimate Dallas Cowboys' fan? Do you know the history of the organization from its humble beginnings to the team's rise to prominence? Do you know the players and coaches who led the team throughout the various eras? Can you put all of your Dallas Cowboys' knowledge together and ace this quiz? 

If you're up for the challenge, get started with this quiz and prove to the rest of the football world that you're an expert when it comes to the Cowboys!

Still the team's current owner, who bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989?
Jerry Richardson
Mike Brown
Robert Kraft
Jerry Jones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jerry Jones is often criticized for being overly involved in football operations. His involvement has caused friction with many coaches since he purchased the team in 1989.

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Who's the current head coach of the Cowboys?
Jason Garrett
Mike Vrabel
Matt Patricia
Frank Reich
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jason Garrett was a backup quarterback for the Cowboys throughout the '90s. He went into coaching in 2005 after retiring from the league.

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How many Super Bowls have the Cowboys won throughout franchise history?
Two
Four
Five
Six
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cowboys are tied with the Patriots and the 49ers with five Super Bowls. The Steelers are the only team with more Super Bowl wins than the Cowboys.

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When was the Cowboys' first season as an NFL team?
1955
1960
1963
1967
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cowboys failed to win a game during their inaugural season in the NFL. However, they tied the Giants in their second-to-last game of the season.

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Known for his involvement​ in the oil business, who founded the Cowboys?
Clint Murchison Jr.
Arthur Blank
Robert McNair
Jim Irsay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clint Murchison Jr. inherited a considerable amount of wealth from his father which he used to launch his own business ventures. Poor business decisions, however, forced Murchison Jr. into bankruptcy a few years before his death in 1987.

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The owner of which franchise tried to keep Dallas from getting a professional team?
Giants
Packers
Redskins
Cardinals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cowboys and Redskins rivalry started when George Preston Marshall, owner of the Redskins, voted to keep a team out of Dallas. He didn't want another franchise encroaching on what he believed​ was his territory in the South.

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Finally establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league, when did Dallas win its first Super Bowl?
1968
1971
1974
1980
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dallas finished the 1971-72 season with an 11-3 record, which was best in the NFC East. The Cowboys advanced to the Super Bowl where they defeated the Dolphins 24-3 in their first Super Bowl victory.

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Who was the MVP of Super Bowl VI?
Duane Thomas
Walt Garrison
Mike Ditka
Roger Staubach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Roger Staubach went to college at the U.S. Naval Academy. He had an outstanding college football career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1963.

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Which legendary coach was hired by the Cowboys during their inaugural season?
Don Shula
Vince Lombardi
John Madden
Tom Landry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tom Landry was the longest tenured coach in Cowboys' history. He led the team from 1960 until 1988 and helped revolutionize many facets of the game, from strategy to coaching.

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In a game decided by three points, which team defeated the Cowboys in Super Bowl V?
Jets
Colts
Patriots
Rams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 1970-71 Super Bowl was played in Miami, Florida, at the Orange Bowl. The game was unique because it was the first Super Bowl played on artificial turf.

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When was Roger Staubach's final season in the NFL?
1979
1982
1984
1985
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Due to health concerns, Roger Staubach retired after only 11 seasons in the NFL. Staubach's final season was arguably his best season as he recorded more passing yards and passing touchdowns than any other year he played.

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A victory for the Cowboys, what was the final score of Super Bowl XII?
10-0
13-10
27-10
33-30
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Super Bowl XII featured a slew of future Hall of Famers for the Cowboys. Some of the most popular names were Tom Landry, Mike Ditka, Roger Staubach, and Randy White.

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Named to the NFL Hall of Fame, what position did Tony Dorsett play?
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Safety
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tony Dorsett played running back for the Dallas Cowboys every season he was in the league, except for one. He finished his career with 12,739 rushing yards and 77 rushing touchdowns.

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Where did Tony Dorsett play college football before the Cowboys drafted him?
University of Alabama
Ohio State University
University of Pittsburgh
Georgia Tech
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tony Dorsett was the second overall pick in the 1977 NFL draft. While in college, Dorsett won both the National Championship and the Heisman Trophy in 1976.

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Who took over the reigns as the Cowboys' starting quarterback when Roger Staubach retired?
Tony Romo
Brad Johnson
Drew Bledsoe
Danny White
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Danny White coached in the Arena Football League a few years after leaving the NFL. He was twice an ArenaBowl champion and was named the AFL Coach of the Year in 1993.

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Which team did the Cowboys play in the 1980 NFC Championship?
Eagles
Patriots
Oilers
Rams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Eagles defeated the Cowboys in the 1980 NFC Championship to advance to the first Super Bowl in franchise history. The Eagles were defeated in the Super Bowl by the Oakland Raiders.

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Who was on the receiving end of "The Catch" thrown by Joe Montana against the Cowboys in the 1981-82 playoffs?
Jerry Rice
Earl Cooper
Dwight Clark
Mike Wilson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Catch" made Joe Montana a legend around the league. The play would lead him to his first of four Super Bowls.

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Where did Jimmy Johnson coach prior to becoming the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys?
University of Miami
Patriots
Bills
Raiders
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jimmy Johnson won a National Championship at Miami prior to jumping to the NFL. When he later won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys, Johnson became the first coach to win a championship in college and in the pros.

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Who did the Cowboys take as the first pick in the 1989 NFL draft?
Barry Sanders
Derrick Thomas
Deion Sanders
Troy Aikman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Troy Aikman began his college career at Oklahoma where he broke his ankle his sophomore season. The injury led to Aikman's replacement as the starting quarterback, forcing him to transfer to UCLA.

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What number did Troy Aikman wear?
3
8
12
15
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Troy Aikman finished his professional career with more than 32,000 passing yards. More importantly, he won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.

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In what year was star running back Emmitt Smith drafted?
1990
1992
1995
1997
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At 5 foot, 9 inches tall, Emmitt Smith was viewed as too small and slow coming out of college. He slipped all the way to 17 in the first round of the 1990 NFL draft where the Cowboys took him.

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How many years did Emmitt Smith lead the league in rushing yards?
Two
Three
Four
Five
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Emmitt Smith was elected to eight Pro Bowls during his career. He was also the NFL MVP in 1993 after leading the league in rushing yards.

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A legend in Cowboy history, what position did Michael Irvin play?
Defensive end
Quarterback
Center
Wide receiver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Irvin was drafted during Tom Landry's final season with the Dallas Cowboys. In his rookie year, Irvin caught 32 passes for 654 yards.

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In what season did the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl under Jimmy Johnson?
1990
1992
1995
1998
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 his first season in Dallas. However, he quickly turned the team around, going 7-9 his second season and winning the NFL Coach of the Year award.

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As the Cowboys rose to prominence in the early '90s, who did they defeat in Super Bowl XXVII?
Rams
Broncos
Dolphins
Bills
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1990 until 1993, the Bills went to four straight Super Bowls. They also lost all four games, including two loses to the Cowboys.

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Who was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII?
Troy Aikman
Michael Irvin
Emmitt Smith
Kevin Williams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Emmitt Smith rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXVIII. The Cowboys easily won the game 30-13.

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Which star player did the Dallas Cowboys sign in 1995?
Jerry Rice
Deion Sanders
Barry Sanders
Junior Seau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prior to signing with the Cowboys, Deion Sanders played for the 49ers. In the 1994-95 season, the 49ers won a Super Bowl of their own with Sanders on the team.

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Fed up with ownership, when did Jimmy Johnson resign as the Cowboys' head coach?
1994
1995
1997
1999
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jimmy Johnson surprised the entire NFL community when he resigned after winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the Cowboys. He left coaching for a few seasons before returning to coach the Dolphins in 1996.

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What was the final score of Super Bowl XXX?
10-7
27-17
30-10
44-40
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Super Bowl XXX pitted the Steelers against the Cowboys. It was the first time in franchise history the Steelers lost a Super Bowl.

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Who was the first coach to NOT take the Cowboys to a Super Bowl before he left the team?
Barry Switzer
Dave Campo
Wade Phillips
Chan Gailey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chan Gailey served as the head coach of several different NFL and college football teams. He retired from coaching in 2017 after a short stint as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets.

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Which undrafted quarterback did the Cowboys sign in 2003?
Tony Romo
Kellen Moore
Brad Johnson
Ryan Leaf
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tony Romo played college football at Eastern Illinois. In 2009, he was the first player from Eastern Illinois to have his number retired.

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What NFL record did Emmitt Smith set in 2002?
Single-season rushing yards
Single-season rushing touchdowns
Career rushing yards leader
Career rushing touchdowns leader
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Emmitt Smith finished his career with 18,355 rushing yards. Walter Payton is in second place with 16,726 yards.

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Who was lured out of retirement to coach the Cowboys from 2003-2006?
Don Shula
Bill Parcells
Chuck Noll
Mike Ditka
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Bill Parcells' first season, the Cowboys finished with a 10-6 record, which earned them a spot in the playoffs. However, the Cowboys lost in the Wild Card round to the Carolina Panthers.

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Which Dallas Cowboy was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016?
Ezekiel Elliot
Sean Lee
Dak Prescott
Alfred Morris
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dak Prescott was a fourth-round pick coming out of Mississippi State. After starter Tony Romo suffered an injury, Prescott took over as the starting quarterback, leading the Cowboys to the playoffs.

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In a close game, who defeated the Cowboys in the 2016-17 playoffs?
Packers
Redskins
Eagles
Falcons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2016, the Cowboys had a good enough regular-season record to earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, the team faced the Packers in the Divisional round, and they had no answer for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns.

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You Got:
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KT King via Wiki Commons