Ralph Neely Ralph Eugene Neely ( born September 12 , 1943 in Little Rock , Arkansas ) is a former American football offensive tackle who played 13 seasons and 172 games for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1977 . Early years . He attended Farmington High School ( New Mexico ) , where he was an All - State tackle for two years in football , and a standout center for the basketball team . Neely was recruited by the University of Oklahoma , where he played college football under coaches Bud Wilkinson and Gomer Jones . He was a 261 - pound tackle who played both ways , as a dominant performer on defense and an excellent blocker on offense . He was named the Big Eight sophomore lineman of the year and was a two - time All - American and an all - conference selection in both 1963 and ' 64 . He was one of three Sooners stars who missed the 1965 Gator Bowl game against Florida State University . Neely , fullback Jim Grisham and halfback Lance Rentzel signed with professional teams before the game , and were ruled ineligible for the contest , which Florida State University won 36 – 19 on the strength of four touchdown catches by Fred Biletnikoff . Professional career . In 1965 , he was drafted in the second round of both the 1965 NFL Draft ( by the Baltimore Colts ) and the 1965 AFL Draft ( by the Houston Oilers ) . On August 29 , 1965 , the Colts traded his rights to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Billy Lothridge and a fourth round selection in the 1966 NFL Draft . Neely accepted the Oilers contract offer ( which also included rights to own a Houston gas station ) , but requested it be kept secret to remain eligible to play in the Gator Bowl . When he learned that the Colts traded his rights to the Cowboys , he began negotiating with Dallas , and returned his check to the Oilers . Litigation ensued between the Oilers and Cowboys in regards to his rights . One of the terms of the merger agreement between the NFL and the AFL was that the Neely contract dispute be resolved . In 1966 the Cowboys finally agreed to send draft choices ( a first , second and two fifth round choices in the 1967 NFL Draft ) to the Oilers and to start the annual pre - season game the Governor ' s Cup between the two teams . A rookie in 1965 , Neely joined the Cowboys just as they were beginning their ascent in the NFL and started right away at right offensive tackle and was named to the NFL all - rookie team . With great quickness for a big man , he became a dominant player on the Cowboys offensive line for 13 seasons . Neely was an All - Pro four times and a two - time Pro Bowl er in 1967 and 1969 . In 1970 , Neely started the season at right guard , but soon took over for Tony Liscio at left offensive tackle , where he manned the position until 1977 , while continuing to be one of the NFL ’ s premier offensive linemen . He was injured halfway into the Cowboys victorious 1971 Super Bowl season , when he fractured his left leg in an off - road , in - season motorcycle accident ; and missed the rest of the year . In 1977 , Neely retired after the Cowboys won Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos . He was selected to the NFL 1960s All - Decade Team , though Neely has yet to join his bookend partner Rayfield Wright , in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor .