Longtime Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman and Tremendous Bowl XII champion Tom Rafferty died Thursday at 70.
Rafferty performed in 221 mixed common season and playoff video games at guard and middle from 1976-89, bridging the careers of Corridor of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.
Rafferty’s daughter, Rachel Powers, confirmed his passing Thursday in Windsor, Colo., following a stroke. He had been hospitalized since early Could.
A fourth-round draft pick of Penn State in 1976, Rafferty began the Cowboys’ 27-10 win in opposition to the Denver Broncos in Tremendous Bowl XII and their 35-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tremendous Bowl XIII.
On Jan. 3, 1983, Rafferty’s block helped spring Tony Dorsett’s NFL-record 99-yard landing run in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings.
Rafferty labored in sports activities gear gross sales following his retirement from the NFL.
He’s survived by his spouse, their son and daughter and two grandchildren.
