The other side of the greatest Super Bowl rivalry of the 1970s lost a good one.
Longtime Cowboys running back Robert Newhouse passed away Tuesday morning. He was 64.
A hard-nosed runner, Newhouse played in three Super Bowls for the Cowboys in the 1970s. He was the team's leading rusher during the 1975 season and helped lead Dallas to Super Bowl X against the Steelers. He was the Cowboys leading rusher in that game, with his 56 yards nearly tripling the entire rushing tally by the Vikings offense in the previous Super Bowl against the Steel Curtain defense. But the Steelers rush defense tightened up in the second half, producing this iconic picture of Jack Lambert standing over Newhouse. Lambert and Steelers receiver Lynn Swann spearheaded the Steelers in Pittsburgh's 21-17 triumph.
Despite the addition of Tony Dorsett in 1977, Newhouse was still a power house in the Dallas backfield. He scored 10 touchdowns during the '77 regular season as Dallas reached their fourth Super Bowl of the decade. His most famous play came on his game clinching halfback touchdown pass to Golden Richards as the Cowboys prevailed over Denver in Super Bowl XII, 27-10.
Newhouse had eight carries in the Cowboys rematch with the Steelers the following year in Super Bowl XIII. In a game that decided the team of the decade, the Steelers won their third of four Super Bowls of the 1970s with a 35-31 triumph.
A staple of stability, Newhouse played five more seasons with the Cowboys, helping Dallas reach three more NFC Championship games in the 1980s. He retired following the 1983 season after 12 seasons in Dallas. He amassed 59 touchdowns over his career and a solid 4.1 yards per carry.
While he wasn't a Steeler, Newhouse played a role in some of the greatest games in Steelers history. Throughout his career, Newhouse played with a toughness that any fan base would respect and be proud to call theirs. In an era where Dallas was more known for their bravado, Newhouse was the blue collar Cowboy that was the backbone of many successful teams in Dallas.
Steelers fans unfortunately know the sadness that comes with losing players from our rich history. Steeler Nation and BTSC gives their condolences to the Newhouse family and to the Dallas Cowboys fans.