From Cowboy to Cowboy: Jay Novacek’s Journey to Tight End Dominance

Jay Novacek was born on October 24, 1962, in Martin, South Dakota. Rising from a consensus All-American at Wyoming to a linchpin of the Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl dynasty, Novacek redefined the tight end position for a generation.

Jay Novacek with the Wyoming Cowboys was a consensus First Team All-America selection as the tight end caught 83 receptions for 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns in his three-year collegiate career. The National Football Foundation selected Jay Novacek to be inducted straight into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Jay in the 6th round of the 1985 NFL Draft and played for the franchise in both St. Louis and Phoenix for five seasons before joining the Dallas Cowboys. He helped the Dallas Cowboys win three Super Bowls in four years and made five Pro Bowl appearances during his eleven-year career.

Accolades and Accomplishments

College Career (Wyoming Cowboys):

• 1984 Consensus First Team All-America selection at Tight End.
• Totaled 83 receptions for 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns over his three-year collegiate career.
• Set a school record for receiving yards by a tight end.
• College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2008).

Professional Career (St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys):

• 3-Time Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) with the Dallas Cowboys.
• 5-Time NFL Pro Bowl selection (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995).
• 3-Time First-team All-Pro selection (1992, 1993, 1994).
• Played 11 seasons in the NFL: five with the Cardinals (St. Louis/Phoenix, 1985–1989) and six with the Dallas Cowboys (1990–1995).
• Finished his career with 422 receptions for 4,630 yards and 30 touchdowns.
• Was the leading receiver on all three of the Cowboys’ Super Bowl teams in the 1990s.
• Was named to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (2008).