Blogging The Boys
We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 90) with some Cowboys history
We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we asked some of our writers to rank their top-100 players in Cowboys history using no particular criteria, and put the results together into one list. The further away you get from the top 20 or so, the more varied the opinions. Sometimes it is about more than just stats. Things like fame level, length of career in Dallas, the era they played in - all can affect where an individual might rank them. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.
Today - number 90.
Born: September 25, 1975. Fort Chaffee, Arkansas
Position: Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys: 1999-2005
Awards: All-Pro - 2003
Dat Nguyen played linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys from 1999 to 2005 after being drafted in the third round out of Texas A&M. He came in with concerns about his size, but very quickly Nguyen quickly silenced critics with his instincts, intelligence, and relentless motor. He became the heart of the Cowboys’ defense, leading the team in tackles in 2001, 2003, and 2004 and earning All-Pro honors in 2003. Nguyen’s leadership on and off the field made him a fan favorite and a respected voice in the locker room throughout his career. He officially retired as a player in 2005 due to injuries, but stayed to coach for the team until 2009.
Best known for:
Nguyen was best known for being the first Vietnamese-American to play in the NFL and for leading the Cowboys’ defense with exceptional awareness and tackling during the early 2000s.
Lesser known fact:
Nguyen often studied film obsessively, reportedly watching tape during team meals and flights, earning a reputation as one of the most prepared players on the roster.
