Tony Dorsett's shoes

History Published on : 12/22/2009

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett, before a nationally televised audience on January 3, 1983, established an NFL record that will never be surpassed.  In that game against the Minnesota Vikings, Dorsett, wearing these shoes, pierced the Vikings defense for a 99-yard score. Remarkably, the record was established on a broken play.

Misunderstanding the play call, Ron Springs, the intended ball carrier, had left the playing field leaving only 10 Cowboys players. As the ball was snapped, Dorsett realized the situation and improvised, taking the handoff from his startled quarterback and raced into the record book.