Robert Newhouse Robert Fulton Newhouse ( born January 9 , 1950 in Longview , Texas ) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys ( 1972 – 1983 ) . Early years . Although he had rushing performances of over 200 and 300 yards , he wasn ' t highly recruited coming out of Galilee High School in Hallsville , Texas . The only Division I ( NCAA ) scholarship he received was for the University of Houston . Newhouse became part of a very successful stretch for the University of Houston from 1969 to 1971 . In 1969 , the team finished 9 – 2 and ranked # 12 in the AP poll . In 1970 , the team finished 8 – 3 and ranked 19th . In 1971 , the team finished 9 – 3 and ranked 17th . Before his senior season started , he suffered a cracked pelvis in a serious automovile accident , but still managed to play with the injury . He was a tri - captain of the 1971 team , along with Gary Mullins and Frank Ditta . His 1 , 757 rushing yards were the second most yards in a season in NCAA history and the most in school history at the time . He received second team All - America n honors by the Associated Press at the end of the year . Newhouse had a remarkable college career , finishing as the University of Houston all - time leading rusher and breaking many of the school ' s records , some of which still stand today : Back when the College All - Stars played the Super Bowl Champion from the year before , Newhouse scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys . He also played in the Hula Bowl . In 1977 he was inducted into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor . Professional career . Newhouse was drafted in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys . Although he wasn ' t very big , he played bigger than his size . Newhouse was built very low to the ground and had enormous leg strength . He thrived on second effort , picking up the nicknames The House and The Human Bowling Ball . He was tough to bring down , " like trying to tackle a fire hydrant , " at 5 ' 10 " and 209 pounds , with arguably the largest thighs in the NFL ( 44 " in circumference together ) . Newhouse was used primarily as a blocking fullback . He was very good as the lead blocker and effective as the primary running back . He led the Cowboys in yards rushed in 1975 with 930 yards and would run his way through 4 , 784 rushing yards , 956 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns during his notable career . His longest run from scrimmage as a pro was a 54 yard gain against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973 . While he was on the team , the Cowboys went to three Super Bowls , winning Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos in 1977 . His most notable career highlight and Super Bowl moment was the 29 - yard touchdown pass Newhouse threw ( going to his left ) to Golden Richards in Super Bowl XII . Newhouse played sparingly backing up Ron Springs during his last 3 seasons . He retired at the end of the 1983 season , as the fourth all - time leading rusher in team history after playing for 12 years . He was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame . Personal life . More than thirty years after he was drafted , Newhouse is still with the Cowboys organization ; he currently handles Alumni Affairs . Newhouse recently had a stroke but he is now making progress . Robert married wife Nancy Newhouse and together they have four children . His son Reggie Newhouse played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2004 and 2005 .