Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the inspiring life, sports achievements, business success, and timeless quotes of Roger Staubach — from Navy hero and NFL legend to real estate titan.

Introduction: The Man Behind the Legend

Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942) is an American icon—an elite athlete, decorated naval officer, and successful entrepreneur. Known affectionately by nicknames like “Roger the Dodger,” “Captain America,” and “Captain Comeback,” Staubach’s life story blends resilience, leadership, integrity, and excellence. His legacy continues to inspire sports fans, business leaders, and anyone striving for greatness.

Early Life and Family

Roger Staubach was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the only child of Elizabeth (née Smyth) and Robert Staubach.

As a youth he was a Boy Scout and displayed early signs of responsibility, discipline, and work ethic. His parents instilled in him values of service and hard work that would guide him throughout life.

Youth and Education

After high school, Staubach spent a preparatory year at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, where he set passing records and earned credibility as a quarterback.

In his college career, he completed 292 of 463 passes, totaled 4,253 yards of offense (including rushing), and established himself as one of Navy’s greatest players. Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and other top collegiate honors.

Due to his military commitment, he delayed entering the NFL until completing his service obligation.

Career and Achievements

Military Service

Upon graduating from the Naval Academy in 1965, Staubach entered the U.S. Navy. He chose to volunteer for a tour in Vietnam, serving as a Supply Corps officer near the Chu Lai base.

During his naval tenure, he also played for service football teams and prepared himself physically and mentally for competition—even studying NFL playbooks.

NFL Career

Because of his military obligation, Staubach did not join the NFL until 1969—making his rookie debut at age 27.

Staubach spent his entire professional career (1969–1979) with the Dallas Cowboys.

He led the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances, starting in four of them, and won two: Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. MVP, becoming one of the few players ever to win both a Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP.

Over his career, Staubach amassed:

• 1,685 completions

• 22,700 passing yards

• 153 passing touchdowns

• 109 interceptions

• 2,264 rushing yards

• 20 rushing touchdowns
  

He also led the league in passer rating multiple times and was selected to six Pro Bowls.

Staubach was also renowned for his late-game heroics: he engineered numerous “comeback” drives, including a famous “Hail Mary” pass in a 1975 playoff victory against the Minnesota Vikings, which popularized the Hail Mary concept in football lore.

He retired in 1979 after suffering multiple concussions and on medical advice to protect his long-term neurological health.

Business and Post-Playing Career

Even during his playing days, Staubach prepared for life beyond football. In 1977 he founded The Staubach Company, a commercial real estate services firm.

He continued as executive chairman of JLL’s Americas region until retiring in 2018.

In recognition of his contributions on and off the field, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Staubach is one of the few athletes who combined a top-tier sports career with military service during an era of geopolitical tension (Vietnam War).

• He helped elevate the Dallas Cowboys to the nickname “America’s Team” in the 1970s, making them a national brand.

• His 1975 “Hail Mary” playoff pass became a cultural phenomenon and forever altered how last-second passes are viewed in American football.

• He straddled two eras: the old NFL, when salaries were modest, and the modern NFL, by investing wisely and building a business empire.

• His post-career success in real estate is often held up as a model for how elite athletes can transition to life after sports.

Legacy and Influence

Roger Staubach’s legacy is multidimensional:

1. Football greatness — He is remembered as one of the most clutch quarterbacks ever, with composure under pressure and leadership.

2. Service and character — His naval service and humility resonate with many who value integrity and sacrifice.

3. Business acumen — His success in real estate shows how discipline and strategic vision extend beyond sports.

4. Role model status — Athletes, leaders, and entrepreneurs often cite him as proof that high performance, faith, ethics, and planning can coexist.

He appears frequently in lists of all-time great quarterbacks and remains a beloved figure in both Dallas and the broader American football community.

Personality and Talents

• Leadership & calm under pressure: Staubach was calm in high-pressure moments and regularly directed game-winning drives.

• Adaptability & resilience: He overcame late entry into the NFL and health risks to succeed.

• Humility & work ethic: He often emphasized preparation over shortcuts.

• Integrity: He was known for treating teammates, staff, and business partners with respect.

• Vision: He planned for his future early, balancing sport and entrepreneurial ventures.

As Tom Landry, legendary Cowboys coach, once said, Staubach was “perhaps the best combination of passer, athlete, and leader ever to play in the NFL.”

Famous Quotes of Roger Staubach

Here are some of his most memorable sayings, reflecting his mindset, approach, and values:

• “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.”

• “Spectacular achievements come from unspectacular preparation.”

• “Confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s a result of something … hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.”

• “All of us get knocked down, but it’s resiliency that really matters … the thing that distinguishes athletes is the ability to do well in times of great stress, urgency and pressure.”

• “Winning isn’t getting ahead of others, it is getting ahead of yourself.”

• “Discrimination is a disease.”

• “Only temporary success is achieved by taking short cuts.”

• “If you don’t have trust inside your company, then you can’t transfer it to your customers.”

• “Even though they are paid differently, everyone has to feel appreciated.”

• “Class is striving hard to be the best at what you do while taking the needs of others into consideration.”

These quotes reflect Staubach’s belief in discipline, character, teamwork, and integrity.

Lessons from Roger Staubach

From Roger Staubach’s journey, here are key takeaways:

• Preparation > shortcuts. His emphasis on preparation laid the foundation for performance under pressure.

• Balance ambition with service. He served in the Navy before pursuing fame and fortune.

• Plan for the future early. He built a business even while playing.

• Resilience matters. Setbacks, injuries, or obstacles are part of the journey; bouncing back is what separates exceptional individuals.

• Lead with character. Success built on integrity outlasts wins or wealth.

• Take responsibility. Ownership—of your actions, your career, your decisions—is vital.

Conclusion

Roger Staubach’s life is a remarkable tapestry: a promising young athlete becomes a decorated naval officer, then an NFL legend, then a business magnate. He transformed the Dallas Cowboys into a national symbol, left an unforgettable legacy on the gridiron, and parlayed his discipline into a thriving post-sports career. His words—about work, character, humility, and leadership—still resonate.

If you’d like, I can also provide a collection of motivational quotes by Roger Staubach formatted for social media, or compare his career to other sporting greats. Just let me know.