Why Roger Staubach was given the name Captain Comeback

A leader of men both on and off the field this Navy veteran changed the game with one “Hail Mary”

Barry Gipson
4 min readNov 7, 2023
Roger Staubach Navy Supply Officer Captain America Roger The Dodger
Ensign Roger Staubach, Navy’s All-America Quarterback, and Heisman Trophy Winner, shows South Vietnamese guards how to hold a football at a naval base. Staubach is a supply officer at the base. GETTY

November Service Matters

During November, the NFL pays homage to United States veterans. As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I felt it was fitting to highlight a few of our own. starting with ‘Captain America” himself. Most NFL fans are aware of the “Hail Mary” play and its meaning. Most of us growing up simulated the play during recess at school.

Before the season kicked off Dak Prescott recruited prior special forces veterans to help this offense dial in a target date as a unit this season on the battlefield. I’m certain he knows who Roger Staubach is, the originator of the “Hail Mary” along with my favorite Cowboy of all time Drew Pearson the “Original 88.”

Staubach was a graduate of the US Naval Academy where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1963. Originally from Cincinnati, OH this 2 time Super Bowl Champion was also the NFL Man Of The Year during…

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Barry Gipson

A Father, Dallas Cowboys, LA Lakers fan, and veteran sharing insights and more for the '24 NFL & NBA seasons. A pivot in content.