Staubach Answers Call of Duty Before Becoming NFL Legend

By JIM PURCELL

Roger T. Staubach is known as “Captain America” by friends and fans alike.

Ensign Roger T. Staubach, USN

   Staubach’s resume defies quick description, but includes graduating the U.S. Naval Academy, in 1965; winning the Heisman Trophy, in 1963; becoming the starting quarterback for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, in 1969; winning Super Bowls VI and XII; and being named MVP of Super Bowl VI. Yet, among Staubach’s most illuminating lifetime milestones remains his four years of service as a U.S. Navy officer after graduating from Annapolis, including one year’s service in the Vietnam War.

   The future NFL stand-out was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on Feb. 5, 1942. After graduating from Purcell Marian High School, in 1960, Staubach was admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961. Once there, Staubach joined the academy’s football team, the Midshipmen, where he won his first game at quarterback in his sophomore season, when the Midshipmen trounced Cornell University’s squad 41-0.

   That same year, with President John F. Kennedy looking on from the stands, Staubach went about guiding Navy to a victory over Army’s team, from the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York, by a score of 34-14.

   During his tenure as the Naval Academy’s quarterback, Staubach completed 292 passes of 463 attempts, and threw for 18 touchdowns, while being intercepted 19 times. In all, Staubach was responsible for gaining a total of 4,253 yards of total offense for the Midshipmen. So respected by his team and teammates, Staubach’s No. 12 jersey was retired by the Naval Academy following his senior year.

Roger Staubach at Chu Lai

   It was no shock when Staubach was selected as the 10^th overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, every graduating cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy is obliged to serve on active duty for four years in the U.S. Navy. Consequently, the Cowboys chose Staubach knowing he could not even put on a Dallas uniform until 1969, when he would be a 27-year-old rookie.

   In a November 11, 2016 interview with ESPN’s Todd Archer, Staubach said how much his service meant to him. He explained that public opinion does not always favor veterans, but it is still vital for Americans to answer the call to serve. 

   As a Navy officer, Staubach did have his challenges. Though born with an amazing arm and football IQ, Staubach was color blind, which limited the career fields he could serve in within the service. In fact, he was limited to the Supply Corps because of his vision. So, upon graduation from the academy, Staubach was commissioned directly into the Supply Corps.

U.S. Base at Chu Lai

   With Staubach being a distinguished graduate of the Naval Academy, he could have requested, and received, any assignment he wanted in the United States. However, he was motivated by far more than personal comfort and safety. That is why he volunteered for, and was assigned to, a post in the Republic of Vietnam, during the height of the war there. 

   While so many of those chosen in the 1964 NFL Draft were just embarking on their professional football careers, Ensign Roger Staubach became a supply officer for the Navy at the Chu Lai base/port, in the Republic of Vietnam. This post provided relief for the Da Nang Air Base, which was about 50 miles away, until 1967. Two years later, after serving the remainder of his active duty term in postings within the United States, Staubach was finally free to enter the NFL, after his honorable completion of service. At the time he left the Navy, Staubach held the rank of full lieutenant.

The Vietnam Service Medal Ribbon

   The storied NFL career of Staubach has become all but the stuff of legend among girdiron fans, but by 1977 the Annapolis graduate was out of sports. No longer the Navy lieutenant or the Cowboy’s captain, Staubach founded the Staubach Company, as its CEO. 

   Staubach later served on the Board of Directors of the United Way and the Board of Advisors of the Children’s Scholarship Fund. He has played an active part in the American Cancer Society and garnered professional recognition as a top executive.

   The story of Roger Staubach is multi-dimensional. However, a key component to the former quarterback’s life is his military service to his country. At a time when it has become common that celebrities and athletes avert military service, Roger Staubach stands as an example of what it means for someone to fully serve their nation, when it is inconvenient as well as when it is convenient.