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Tom Rafferty
1954 - 2025
Tom Rafferty
1954 - 2025
Obituary
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BORN
1954
DIED
2025
Tom Rafferty Obituary
Tom Rafferty, a Dallas Cowboys defensive end who won a Super Bowl with the team in 1977, died June 5, 2025, in Windsor, Colorado after a stroke at the age of 70.
Rafferty was a Football News and Football Writers' All-American player at Penn State University when he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1976. He took home a Super Bowl ring in his first season with the squad, his first of 14 years with the team. In a notable 1983 play, Rafferty threw one of the blocks that helped Tony Dorsett run his famed 99-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. He kept the defense locked down at center throughout the mid 1980s. His final season was Troy Aikman's rookie year, during which he played eight games defending the future Hall of Famer. He is one of only 12 players to spend 14 years with the team.
NFL historian Kevin Gallagher called Rafferty "a steady stalwart who played in 221 games - the most for any offensive lineman in Cowboys history."
By Eric San Juan
(Image: George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
4 Entries
Mr.Jr.
July 4, 2025
My Condolences.
Kevin Strause
June 16, 2025
While we have only known Tom and Donna for the last 8-10 years, we became great friends from the start. I loved getting together for dinner and drinks at Oliva´s in Ft Worth. Our special lobster dinner by the pool was another great memory. Working out at the Keller Pointe and watching Tom´s dedication to doing laps on the indoor track or pushing himself on the treadmill was always a huge inspiration for me to work a little harder too. I will truly miss sharing a bourbon or a scotch with Tom at the end of an evening. Here´s to you, my friend . The world has lost a wonderful man, but your legacy will live on forever.
Don Page
June 12, 2025
Tom was the toughest OT I went up against when I was at West Genesee in `72 and Tom was at FM.
I knew his younger brother as well who I had instructed in swimming at Sabattis(BSA) camp. What a great family.. I did miss however playing against Tom again when I, myself was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977.
Tom and family God bless you all.
Don Page
Jeff Pelton
June 11, 2025
My dad´s favorite player, he loved the Cowboys! Thanks for the memories, you were an integral part of the team. I send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace with God by his side.
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