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One hit wonders are not just limited to the music industry. The NFL has had it share of one hit wonders. Sometimes a team catches lightning in a bottle and rides it all the way to the Super Bowl (see Atlanta Falcons, 1999). Sometimes a player shines brightly, if only for a day (see Timmy Smith, Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XXII).
The Dallas Cowboys have had their share of one hit wonders. Clint Longley comes to mind. Subbing for injured QB Roger Staubach, Clint Longley was the unlikely hero for the Cowboys when they played the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving Day in 1974. The rookie quarterback from Abilene Christian threw two touchdown passes in leading Dallas to a 24-23 victory over their division rivals. Longley threw only three more touchdown passes in the remainder of his three-year career in the NFL.
Jason Garrett pulled off a similar feat on Thanksgiving day in 1994 subbing for an injured Troy Aikman and backup Rodney Peete. Jason was the Cowboys 3rd string Quarterback in 1994 but he came off the bench to start the game and lead the Cowboys to a 42-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers by going 15-26 for 311 yards and 2 Touchdowns.
The biggest one hit wonder in Dallas Cowboys history has to be Percy Howard. In College at Austin Peay University, Percy averaged 12.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on the basketball team in three varsity seasons (1972-73 through 1974-75). Plus the 6-4, 215-pound forward averaged seven points and seven rebounds per game in four NCAA Tournament contests in 1973 and 1974 as a teammate of the celebrated James "Fly" Williams. Percy didn't get a lot of attention from the NBA so he decided to give the NFL a try. Percy was signed as a Rookie Free Agent by the Cowboys during the 1975 off season. Percy made the team but played sparingly during the season. In fact, Percy didn't catch a pass all season long. He did however return 2 kickoffs for 51 yards. It wasn't until late in the season during the Super Bowl that Percy would finally get his 15 minutes of fame. Percy was forced into action during Super Bowl X because starting WR Golden Richards had broken a rib late in the game and was forced to the sidelines. Percy came into the game and caught his only pass in his NFL career a 34 yard touchdown strike from Roger Staubach late in the 4th quarter. Percy was involved in another play late in the game but was overthrown by Staubach who was trying to hit his big 6'4" receiver for another touchdown. The 34 yard touchdown catch in Super Bowl X turned out to be Percy's only catch and last game in the NFL. I guess if you were allowed to catch only one pass, you would want that pass to be for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
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