The Tackle: Starring Ken Houston

The Cowboys and Redskins have hated each other since the series began in 1960 and the rivalry has blossomed into one of the greatest in sports. The two franchises have won eight Super Bowls combined and even in the rare down years, each has given the other trouble.  Entering this Sunday's game at rechristened AT&T Stadium on national TV, the Redskins will be looking to continue the streak as they swept the Boys in their two meetings last season.

Looking back in history, the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry has produced some of the NFL's greatest games.  Today we venture back 40 years to the matchup in 1973 at RFK Stadium in D.C. It's Monday Night Football and the world has paused as the game of the week is hanging in the balance…

To set the stage, the Cowboys led the game 7-0 all the way until just under four minutes remained in the final quarter.  Washington quarterback Sonny Jurgensen and receiver Charley Taylor combined on the game-tying touchdown pass with 3:39 remaining. Three plays later, Owens intercepted Craig Morton’s toss and returned it 26 yards for a 14-7 Redskins advantage.

Next, before an emotionally drained crowd of 54, 314, the Cowboys marched the ball down the field and were faced with fourth-and-goal from the Washington 6-yard line.  With time for only one play, Cowboy quarterback Craig Morton, a third quarter replacement for Roger Staubach, sent fullback Walt Garrison out of his backfield and hit him over the middle at the one; only to be met by hall-of-fame safety Ken Houston who arrived at the same time halting his momentum  before he could step across the goal line.  Houston made the game-saving play and is now referred to as the most famous tackle in Redskins history. 

 

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