From Super Bowl champions to first-round busts, discover which iconic bloodlines define the Star. We rank the generational talents and gridiron legacies that shaped Dallas Cowboys history.
FRISCO - In some cases, the father's legendary greatness carries the son's relative mediocrity. In other cases, it's the other way around.
And every once in a while, when it comes to men who's played for the Dallas Cowboys who have a father or a son who also played in the NFL?
There is symmetry.
I'm keeping this football-only, so 9. Ken and Ken Norton Jr. (boxing/football) and Calvin and Grant Hill (football/basketball) will have to wait for another list.
In honor of Father's Day, here's Fish's List: The Top 25 Father/Son Football Combinations in Cowboys History ...
25 Mario and Mario Edwards Jr. - Dad came to Dallas as a DB in the 2000 NFL Draft and became a starter. Junior has forged a 10-year NFL career as a defensive lineman.
24 Bobby and Brice Butler - Dad was a DB for a decade in Atlanta. Brice was a fun addition to the locker room in Dallas from 2015-17.
23 Jim and Jason Garrett, Cowboys – Dad was a scout spanning Tom Landry to Bill Parcells. Son played here and was the head coach who won three division championships in 10 seasons. (Two other Garrett boys were employed by Dallas at different times as well.)
22 Jake, Craig, Ketner and Cooper Kupp - Grandpa was a guard in Dallas in the mid-60's and he's in the Saints Hall of Fame. Craig was an NFL backup QB who also played for Dallas (as a Troy Aikman reserve) for a minute. Ketner was a Rams linebacker. And Cooper? He's become an all-time great receiver now with Seattle.
21 Ron and Shawn Springs - Dad was a solid Cowboys running back. Son became a Pro Bowl DB.
20 Tony Brooks and Anthony Barr - Dad played running back in the NFL while son was a four-time Pro Bowler in Minnesota who played one season in Dallas.
19 Billy Cannon Sr. and Jr. - Dad was an all-time great running back. Jr. was a first-round pick (1984) who exited the sport after one year due to an injury that threatened paralysis.
18 George and David Buehler - Dad played as an NFL guard for a decade and won a Super Bowl with the Raiders. Son was a Dallas kicker (fifth-round, 20090 who was built like a linebacker at 6-2 and 230 but who never quite made it.
17 Cedrick Wilson Sr. and Jr. - Dad won a Super Bowl as a backup receiver in Pittsburgh. Son started his career in Dallas and now has nine NFL seasons under his belt.
16 Rob and Bobby Carpenter - Dad was a Giants running back. Son was chosen by coach Bill Parcells as a Dallas linebacker (first-round, 2006), maybe only because Parcells admired Rob so much. Bad move. Big bust.
15 Abram and Kaiir Elam - Kaiir was in Dallas in 2025, briefly as the starting corner. His Dad played here briefly, too. Extra points granted because they were both Cowboys, if only for a couple of moment.
14 Oronde and Oronde Gadsden II - Dad was a character who made the Cowboys as a UDFA in 1995 - and won a Super Bowl ring. Son is starting to make an impression with the Chargers.
13 Billy Cannon Sr. and Jr. - Dad was an all-time great running back. Junior was a first-round pick (1984) who exited the sport after one year due to an injury that threatened paralysis.
12 Wally and Alonzo Highsmith - Dad was a journeyman offensive lineman. Alonzo was a stud with the Oilers before coming here, and he's now an NFL exec in New England.
11 Robert and Reggie Newhouse - Dad's is an iconic Cowboys name. Son played briefly with the Cardinals.
10 Ray and Mike Renfro - Dad was a two-time champion running back with the Browns. Mike played in the NFL as a receiver for a decade with the Oilers and the Cowboys.
9 Gary, Josh and Caleb Downs - Dad was an NFL running back. Josh is a Colts receiver. And Cowboys fans are already familiar with the promise of first-round rookie Caleb.
8 Jerry and Brock Marion - Dad played briefly in the NFL. Son was a big-time contributor on two Super Bowl teams.
7 Terrell and Terique Owens - Terrell is an all-time talent loaded with controversy. His son has bounced around a bit trying to catch on as a receiver.
6 Robert and Zay Jones - Dad was the middle linebacker of record on "The Team of the '90s.'' Son now has eight years playing as a wideout in the NFL.
5 Jim and Jackson Jeffcoat - Jim was a first-rounder and a Cowboys Super Bowl winner. Jackson made his name largely in the CFL.
4 Marion Sr, Marion Jr. and Dominique Barber - Senior was a Jets standout, Dominique played for the Texans and the late Marion III was a fan favorite running back in Dallas.
3 Tony and Anthony Dorsett - Dad is in the Hall of Fame. Son was a fine DB with the Raiders.
2 Deion and Shedeur Sanders - Dad is the greatest cover corner of all-time. Shedeur is getting attention as a Browns QB. (And no, we don't count the troubling Shilo.)
1 - Jerry and Stephen Jones – No, they don't suit up. But spanning 36 years as DFW’s first family of football, they’ve produced three Super Bowls along with unprecedented popularity and profit. ... along with controversy and disappointment.
Happy Father's Day!
