Bill Bates

As an indispensable member of the 1992, 1993 and 1995 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys and tied with the teams longest tenure, Bill Bates has been a long time favorite of Cowboys fans. He won the Bob Lilly Award each year from 1990 through 1994. This honor is awarded by a vote of the fans and annually goes to the Cowboy player who displays leadership and character on and off the field. In 1993, Bates returned from a disabling knee injury that prematurely ended his 1992 season and was selected by his teammates to receive the Ed Block Courage Award for successfully overcoming his injury. Bates is one of the NFL's true success stories, having overcome the odds his entire career, starting in 1983 when his childhood dream of making the team as a long-shot free agent rookie came true. Under head coach Tom Landry and secondary coach Gene Stallings Bates immediately became a dominating figure on the field with his ferocious special teams play. Propelled by his inspiration, the NFL added a spot on Pro Bowl lineups for special teams coverage players, and, in 1984, Bates became the first NFC player to receive this honor.