Alan Veingrad Alan Stuart Veingrad , now known as Shlomo Veingrad ( born July 24 , 1963 , in Brooklyn , New York ) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League . Veingrad played for the Green Bay Packers for five seasons , and two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys ( who won Super Bowl XXVII ) , playing in a total of 86 games . Early years . Veingrad was born in Brooklyn and lived in New Jersey from ages 3 to 9 , before moving to Miami . He attended Miami Sunset High School , and grew up in a Jewish household , but never embraced religion until a later point in his life . In high school he participated in football and track and field ( discus , shot put ) . College career . He received a scholarship from East Texas State University ( now Texas A & M University – Commerce ) to play college football and throw the discus . He was converted to an offensive lineman and by 1984 he was named Lone Star All - Conference , Lone Star Offensive Lineman of the Year and received Division II and National Strength & Conditioning All - America n honors . He was inducted into the school ' s Athletic Hall of Fame in October 2006 . Professional career . Veingrad was considered small for his position and wasn ' t selected in the 1985 NFL Draft . He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , but was cut after 10 days . The Houston Oilers claimed him off waivers , but eventually released him before the start of the 1985 season . In 1986 he signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent and became the opening day starter at right offensive tackle . He sat out all of the 1988 season with a career - threatening hip injury . His return and consistent play , kept heralded rookie Tony Mandarich on the bench in 1989 . In 1991 after four seasons as a starter for the Packers , he signed in Plan B free agency with the Dallas Cowboys , where as a backup at tackle and guard , he helped Emmitt Smith win the NFL rushing title in 1991 and 1992 . In those years the Cowboys also won Super Bowl XXVII . Retirement and Jewish roots . When Veingrad had begun his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers , a local Jewish man who ran a shoe store had reached out to him and asked him to join his family for the Rosh Hashana services at K ' nesses Israel , a synagogue near the site of the Packers ’ original home field , City Stadium . Veingrad had not spent much time in shul . “ But when I heard the Hebrew , ” he said , “ I felt a pull . ” Following the Super Bowl XXVII win , Veingrad retired from football and returned to Florida . He rediscovered his Jewish roots , and became an Torah - observant Jew . He now uses his Hebrew first name , Shlomo , wears a kippah and ritual fringes called tzitzit , and travels around the world giving inspirational talks about his spiritual transformation . Alan " Shlomo " Veingrad was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday , April 19 , 2010 . The ceremony was held at at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack , New York . The organization chronicles and celebrates Jewish involvement in all sports , and includes Jewish sports legends such as Sandy Koufax , Red Auerbach , Kerri Strug , and Hank Greenberg . Personal life . He and fellow Chabad - Lubavitch adherent , Rabbi Shais Taub , made headlines by hosting a " kosher tailgate party " at Lambeau Field during the 2007 season . Veingrad lives in Boca Raton , Florida , where he is employed as a financial strategist .