SI NOW

ROGER STAUBACH

The Cowboys' legendary quarterback discusses how a heartbreaking loss to the Colts in Super Bowl V spurred his Hall of Fame career

ROGER STAUBACH: I was backup to quarterback Craig Morton [in 1970]. I thought maybe I would get the chance to play a little bit [in Super Bowl V], because he did have some injury issues, but I didn't. The game was tight. It was a close game all the way until the end [when Jim O'Brien kicked a 32-yard field goal with five seconds left, to give the Colts a 16--13 win]. After the game we were coming back on the team plane, and I told Coach [Tom] Landry that I really needed to be traded if I didn't get a chance to play someday. That was a big turning point for me because if we had won the game—and I did want us to win—[I could have gone to another team] and my life could have changed.

After losing the game, [Landry] told both me and Craig [who threw three interceptions] that we would be competing for the starting job in 1971. So Super Bowl V was a tough loss, but it also gave me an opportunity to start and play in Super Bowl VI. I was a nervous wreck that whole week. When we got down to New Orleans, I was in Coach Landry's room every night. His wife finally said to him, "Let the guy alone." [After beating the Dolphins 24--3], a couple of guys were carrying Coach Landry off the field, and you could see the smile on his face. Me? I was just excited about being the quarterback [Staubach was 12 of 19 for 119 yards and two touchdowns] on the team that had been fighting for years to try to win its first Super Bowl.

For more of Staubach's interview, plus the SI Now archive, go to SI.com/sinow

"I told Coach [Tom] Landry that I really needed to be traded if I didn't get a chance to play."

—Roger Staubach

WATCH SI NOW

SI.COM/SINOW

LIVE WEEKDAYS AT 1 P.M. EST

POWERED BY FORD

TUNE IN

• EPISODE: FEB. 1

WBO welterweight champ Timothy Bradley on facing Manny Pacquiao for the third time, on April 9

• EPISODE: FEB. 2

SI's Joan Niesen talks about LSU's ace recruiting class and the pressure on coach Les Miles

• EPISODE: FEB. 3

SI's Greg Bishop and Doug Farrar discuss whether 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick would fit in with the Jets

• EPISODE: FEB. 4

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles explains why he's no fan of playing in London

SI NOW POWERED BY BUILT Ford TOUGH ALSO STREAMS LIVE DIRECTLY ON THE SI.COM HOME PAGE | WEEKDAYS AT 1 P.M. EST

PHOTO

NEIL LEIFER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (STAUBACH)

PHOTO

JED JACOBSOHN FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BRADLEY AND PACQUIAO)

PHOTO

CHRIS GRAYTHEN/GETTY IMAGES (MILES)

PHOTO

CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES (KAEPERNICK)

PHOTO

JOHN KONSTANTARAS/GETTY IMAGES (BORTLES)