The Dallas Cowboys’ No. 58 has been worn by a long list of defenders, but the name that rises to the top is Mike Hegman. He wasn’t a headline-grabbing superstar, yet he gave Dallas a dozen years of steady, dependable play and ended up becoming one of the more intriguing stories in franchise history.
Dixon Edwards deserves a strong look as the runner-up. He was part of all three Cowboys Super Bowl wins in the 1990s, started the last two, and produced at a high level throughout his five seasons in Dallas from 1991 to 1995.
Hegman’s path to the NFL was anything but ordinary. He didn’t even start playing football until his senior year at Northside High School in Memphis, a school that no longer exists.
His college career began at Alabama A&M before he transferred to Tennessee State, where he walked on and joined future Cowboys great Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Hegman won the starting middle linebacker job, helped Tennessee State go 10-0 in 1973 and capture the Black College National Championship, then led the Tigers in tackles the next season with 158, a new school record.
That’s where the story gets strange. After the 1974 season, Hegman and nearly everyone around him believed he still had one year of eligibility left. The Cowboys disagreed and took him in the seventh round of the 1975 NFL Draft with the 173rd overall pick, making him part of the famous “Dirty Dozen” class that also included Randy White, “Hollywood” Henderson, Bob Breunig, Pat Donovan, and Herbert Scott.
Dallas was proven right. A few weeks into the 1975 college season, Hegman was ruled ineligible and had to sit out Tennessee State’s remaining games.
He was still permitted to play in the Senior Bowl, where he turned in a strong performance. Because the Cowboys had been correct about his draft eligibility, they were able to keep his rights, and Hegman finally arrived in Dallas in 1976.
He spent much of his early NFL career on special teams, though he also chipped in on defense in a reserve role behind Henderson and D.D. Lewis.
Hegman helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl 12 against the Denver Broncos, then made his biggest individual splash a year later in Super Bowl 13. He forced a fumble from Terry Bradshaw, scooped it up, and raced 37 yards for the game’s only defensive touchdown.
Dallas still lost 35-31, but Hegman’s play stood out.
When Henderson was traded during the 1979 season after effectively self-destructing, Hegman stepped into the starting lineup and held that job for the rest of his career. His run with the Cowboys ended a few months after a knee injury in the 1988 preseason sent him to injured reserve.
Across 12 seasons in Dallas, Hegman finished with 21.0 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, and seven interceptions.
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Cowboys May Have Found A Back Kansas City Let Slip Away
The Cowboys added a familiar name to their backfield by claiming running back Emari Demercado off waivers after Kansas City let him go. It is the kind of move that can fly under the radar, but it comes with a little more intrigue than most because Chiefs coach Andy Reid had praised Demercado, and some around the league believed his skill set could have fit well in Kansas Citys offense.
For Dallas, the appeal is obvious. Demercado is expected to step into a meaningful rotational role, giving the Cowboys a back who is known for pass protection and an efficient running style. In a backfield that always needs reliable pieces, the question now is not whether he has traits worth keeping, but how quickly he can carve out real snaps and prove Kansas City may have moved on a little too soon. [Read more 🡒]
Jason Witten Is Already Earning Serious Respect In His New Role
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Inside Oklahoma, Witten is already drawing praise from offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and head coach Brent Venables, who have both noticed how quickly he has made himself useful. He has also been actively mentoring quarterback John Mateer, a sign that his value may extend beyond the tight end room as he settles into coaching. It is still early, but Wittens arrival has clearly made an impression, and the Sooners appear to be embracing the kind of knowledge and credibility he carried for years in Dallas. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Finally Sent A Message Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Cowboys moved quickly after trimming down to their initial 53-man roster, and the flurry of decisions gave fans a clearer picture of how the front office wants this team built. Dallas waived Joe Milton, claimed Emari Demarcado and also added Broderick Jones in a trade that sent out Nate Thomas, part of a busy stretch that underscored how aggressively the team has been trying to reshape the roster while still keeping an eye on future assets.
The Jones deal was especially notable because it included a draft-pick swap that stretches well beyond the immediate season, with Dallas getting Jones and a future fourth-rounder while giving up a future third and sixth that originally belonged to Pittsburgh. For a fan base that has spent plenty of time waiting for a stronger signal on how the Cowboys plan to balance present needs with draft capital, the latest moves offered one, even if the larger picture is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]