Named the “Iron Man” for his durability and longevity as an offensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Rafferty established himself as a formidable competitor on the field.

 

Rafferty started out as an all-league athlete in football and lacrosse at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. He continued his football career as an interior lineman at Penn State where he played for the legendary Joe Paterno. The 6-foot-3, 256-pound Rafferty earned All-American honors in 1975 and was drafted in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1976.

 

Rafferty played for 14 years at various positions with the Cowboys, including guard and center. He appeared in two Super Bowl games and helped the Cowboys win the 1977 title by beating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII.

 

At one point, Rafferty played in more consecutive games (167) than any other player in Dallas history. He spent his entire NFL career with the Cowboys and played in 221 career games.

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Rafferty received his MBA degree from University of Dallas. He works as a Regional Sales Manager for a sports supply company in the Dallas area.

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

 

1972: All-league honors in football and lacrosse at F-M

 

1972: Decides to play football for Penn State

 

1976: Fourth-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys

 

1977-1989: Played with the Cowboys as a guard, then center

 

1977: Wins Super Bowl XII