Eddie LeBaron Edward Wayne LeBaron , Jr . ( born January 7 , 1930 ) is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League . Early career . LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale , California and went on to the College of the Pacific ( now the University of the Pacific ) . He played there from 1946 to 1949 , lettering all four years and achieving All - America n honors in 1949 after leading them to an undefeated season . He was a two - way , 60 minute player , as a quarterback on offense , safety on defense , and punter on special teams . Military service . LeBaron was commissioned in the Marine Corps reserves while in college and served as a lieutenant in the Korean War after graduation . He was wounded twice and was decorated with the Purple Heart . For his heroic actions on the front lines , he was awarded the Bronze Star . Due to his diminutive size , 5 feet , 7 inches , and leadership skills from his military service , he was sometimes known as the " Littlest General " . Professional career . LeBaron was drafted in the tenth round ( 123rd overall ) of the 1950 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins and played with them through 1959 , except for 1954 when he played in the Canadian Football League . He signed with the Calgary Stampeders because his college coach , Larry Siemering from the College of the Pacific , was coaching there . In his seven seasons with the Redskins he started 55 of a possible 72 games at quarterback ( he played in 70 of those 72 games ) . He was also the primary punter for his first three seasons with Washington ( he would punt 171 times for a total of 6 , 995 yards in five NFL season , with 164 of those coming in 1952 , 1953 , and 1955 . ) To build the roster of the expansion Cowboys , Dallas was allowed to pick certain players from certain teams per league rules . Clint Murchison selected the Redskins ' Pro Bowl quarterback , Eddie LeBaron , who would become the Cowboys ' first starting quarterback . Redskins owner Marshall had forgotten to move LeBaron to the team ' s " protected " list . He was the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for their first three seasons , 1960 to 1962 . LeBaron started 10 of 12 games in 1960 , with the rookie Don Meredith starting one and Don Heinrich starting the other . He also scored the Cowboys ' first - ever touchdown in their first exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers , on August 6 , 1960 in Seattle . LeBaron started 10 of 14 games in 1961 , with the young Don Meredith starting the other four . He only started five games in the 1962 season , but split time with Don Meredith almost evenly . He started the first game of the 1963 season , but was replaced permanently by Meredith for the rest of the season , with LeBaron becoming Meredith ' s backup . He retired at the end of 1963 , after playing 12 seasons , throwing for 13 , 399 yards and 104 touchdowns . He was selected for the Pro Bowl four times in 1955 , 1957 , 1958 , and 1962 . The shortest quarterback to ever be selected to the Pro Bowl , LeBaron was known primarily as a ball - handler and elusive scrambler . After football . LeBaron became a football announcer for CBS Sports after his NFL career . He had obtained a law degree during his off - seasons from football , and practiced law after his football career . He was also the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons from 1977 to 1982 and executive vice president from 1983 through 1985 . LeBaron is an avid golf er and continues to play golf in his retirement . He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 , into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and was a charter inductee into the Sac - Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in October 2010 .