Daryl Johnston Daryl Peter " Moose " Johnston ( born February 10 , 1966 ) is a former National Football League fullback currently an analyst with Kenny Albert who played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1999 . High school career . Johnston was named Western New York Player of the Year in 1983 , while playing for Lewiston - Porter ( locally known as Lew - Port ) High School in Youngstown , New York . The Lancers won the division during his senior year in 1984 . His Lew - Port jersey ( number 34 ) was retired on September 1 , 2006 . In 2008 he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame . College career . Johnston attended Syracuse University . As a redshirted freshman , he started playing on special teams and would earn the starting fullback position by his sophomore season in 1986 . While playing for Syracuse , Johnston was an All - Big East selection in 1988 and an All - America n in 1989 . He rushed for 1 , 830 yards and caught 46 passes during his collegiate career . He once gained 138 yards rushing , the most by a Syracuse running back since Larry Csonka rushed for 154 yards in 1967 . He graduated with a degree in economics . Professional career . Johnston was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1989 NFL Draft . As a rookie he received his nickname " Moose " from backup quarterback Babe Laufenberg because of his large stature compared to the rest of the running backs . The name caught on among Dallas fans who would chant " Moooooose " whenever he made a play . As a Cowboy , Johnston played in 149 consecutive games from 1989 - 97 . He also became one of the greatest special teams players in franchise history . He scored 22 career touchdown s and had more receptions than carries . His 294 receptions is the third highest number among Cowboys running backs , totaling 2 , 227 yards for a 7 . 6 yards average , compared to 232 carries for 753 yards for a 3 . 2 yards average . In 1993 Johnston had 50 receptions and averaged 7 . 4 yards per catch . Due mainly to Johnston ' s contributions , the NFL created the fullback position in the Pro Bowl . Prior to this change , blocking fullbacks had little chance of beating out traditional running back s , who had better statistics . In 1993 Johnston became the first fullback ever selected for the Pro Bowl , earning trips in 1993 and in 1994 . Johnston retired at the end of the 1999 season , after suffering a neck injury that cut short his career . He was a member of three Super Bowl winning teams . Legacy . Johnston was considered one of the best fullbacks of his day , while blocking for Emmitt Smith , as Smith went on to become the all - time NFL rushing leader . However , Johnston was not the lead blocker for Smith ' s entire career . An unfortunate neck injury prematurely ended Johnston ' s career . Johnston was present the day Smith broke the rushing record ; he was in the broadcasting booth , but came down onto the field to hug Smith and congratulate him afterward . As Smith made his victory lap of Texas Stadium after the record setting carry , Johnston hung back in the shadows . When Smith saw Johnston , the two joined together in an emotional embrace , with Smith telling Johnston , " I couldn ' t have done it without you " . Johnston replied " It was my pleasure . I couldn ' t imagine doing it for anybody else . " Broadcasting career . Today , Johnston works as a color commentator alongside Kenny Albert on the second broadcast team of " The NFL on Fox " . He also works with Tony " Goose " Siragusa . He was recently hired as an analyst for the NFL Network ' s " Total Access " until 2012 . Johnston also began calling the collegiate Cotton Bowl Classic game for Fox in 2009 , first with Pat Summerall , and then eventually Kenny Albert . He also was a guest star of the PBS television series " Wishbone " in its episode " Moonbone " . Personal life . A native of Youngstown , New York , Johnston now resides in Dallas , Texas with his wife Diane , son Aaron , and daughter Evan . Johnston has been a major contributor to many charities including the Special Olympics , Children ' s Cancer Fund , Cystic Fibrosis and Literacy Instruction For Texas ( LIFT ) . He has also served as honorary chairman for MDA ' s " Aisles of Smiles " campaign , and for the American Cancer Society ' s Gunslingers ' Ball . In 1999 , Johnston ' s numerous community service activities led to his nomination for the prestigious " Whizzer White Humanitarian Award . "