Staubach honored

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, Class of 1985, returned to his alma mater Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati on Friday to be honored as a “Hometown Hall of Famer™” by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company.  
 

The Dallas Cowboys legend and Super Bowl VI Most Valuable Player received his “Hometown Hall of Famer™” plaque from former high school teammates Jerry Momper and Roger Thesing. The special ceremony in the Purcell Marian gymnasium was witnessed by more than 400 students, faculty and staff, and several of Staubach’s high school football teammates. 
 

“To bring Roger Staubach home to Cincinnati to be in the presence of so many friends and high school teammates made today’s Hometown Hall of Famer plaque presentation tremendously special,” said George Veras, president and CEO of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises. “That is what this program is all about – reconnecting members of Hall with their roots while extending the Pro Football Hall of Fame to cities and towns across the country.”
 

The 30-minute ceremony was emceed by iconic Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman and featured the unexpected attendance of Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown. The ceremony was punctuated when Staubach pulled out three autographed footballs from the podium and rifled throws into the student body, looking as if he could still play quarterback for the Cowboys.  
 

The ceremony also featured speaking roles by Veras and Allstate’s Brian Walsh, who detailed the “Hometown Hall of Famer™” program, and was followed by a special reception hosted by Purcell Marian and its staff.  The plaque honoring Staubach and bearing his likeness will be permanently displayed at the school to serve as an inspiration for current and future Purcell Marian students. 
 

“To be part of a program that brings the prestige and tradition of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to communities like Cincinnati is an honor for Allstate, our agents and employees,” said Mark LaNeve, Allstate executive vice president, marketing and sales operations. 
 

Staubach was a standout quarterback at Purcell High School (later renamed Purcell Marian) before playing collegiately at the United States Naval Academy where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1963.  Following his graduation, he spent a mandatory four years on active duty, including service in Vietnam, before he was able to turn his attention to pro football.

Staubach joined the Cowboys in 1969 and became the permanent starting QB two seasons later. Noted for his many last-minute heroics, Staubach led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl titles and was named the MVP in the Cowboys’ 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. In all, he threw for 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns, won four NFL passing titles, and retired as the highest rated passer in NFL history. 

  

“Hometown Hall of Famers™” will next honor former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr in Montgomery, Ala., on Nov. 16 at Sidney Lanier High School.

 

Hometown Hall of Famer™ Program
Photo Galleries: Roger Staubach | Cowboys Hall of Famers
Online Exhibit: Football and America - The Vietnam War