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'Leon Lett, Jr.' (born October 12, 1968 in Mobile, Alabama), nicknamed 'The Big Cat', is a former American football defensive tackle in the NFL who played for the Dallas Cowboys (1991-2000) and the Denver Broncos (2001), after playing college football at Emporia State University. Lett was a two-time Pro Bowler, with selections in 1994 and 1998. He wore jersey number 78 and was 6'6, 292 pounds during his playing days.
Lett was a talented player and a cornerstone of the Cowboys defense during its heyday in the early 1990s, but fans will likely remember him for his infamous "bonehead" plays. Two of the top three of ESPN's "25 Biggest Sports Blunders" are attributed to Lett. The fans ranked him #1 and #3, whereas an expert panel placed him at #2 and #3. His career was also marred by a number of drug-related suspensions.
The first play (ranked #1 in the ESPN fan list, #2 in the ESPN expert panel) occurred in January 1993, in Super Bowl XXVII. Late in the fourth quarter, Lett recovered a fumble on Buffalo's 45 yard line and proceeded to run it back towards the endone. When he reached the 10 yard line, he started to slow, and held the ball out as he approached the goal line. However, he didn't see a hustling Don Beebe who was chasing him down from behind. Beebe knocked the ball out of Lett's outstretched hand just before he crossed the goal line, which sent the ball through the endzone, and resulted in a touchback that cost Lett his touchdown. Lett later said he was watching the Jumbotron, and trying to do a "Michael Irvin", where he put the ball out across the goal line (i.e. mimicing the Dallas receiver's cocky style of scoring).
The Cowboys had a commanding 52-17 lead at the time, and the play did not affect the outcome of the game, but it certainly embarrassed Lett on the greatest stage in the sport, and it is still well known by football fans today. Lett's gaffe also cost the Cowboys the record for most points scored in a Super Bowl (55, by the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV), and may have cost Dallas the largest margin of victory in a Super Bowl. However, his performance in the game was not a total disappointment: He recorded a sack and 2 forced fumbles, one of them setting up a Dallas touchdown.
The second play (ranked #3 in both ESPN lists) occurred during the very next season and was actually more serious as it resulted in a Cowboy defeat. On Thanksgiving Day in 1993, during a rare snow and sleet storm in Dallas, the Cowboys were leading the Miami Dolphins 14-13 with mere seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins attempted a 41-yard field goal to take the lead but the kick was blocked. While most of his teammates began celebrating, Lett attempted to recover the ball but slipped on the ice as he attempted to pick the football up, and Miami recovered the "muff" on the Dallas one yard line. There was no need to pick up the ball as the Cowboys would have automatically received possession and could have simply run out the clock. By touching the ball and then failing to hold onto it, Lett enabled the Dolphins to take possession and then try another field goal. This second attempt was successful and the Dolphins won the game 16-14.
However, Dallas would still go on to win Super Bowl XXVIII. This game also involved a big play by Lett, but this time it was one that was beneficial to his team. With the Cowboys trailing 13-6, Lett forced a fumble while tackling running back Thurman Thomas on the third play of the third quarter. Dallas safety James Washington recovered the ball and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown to tie the game, and the Cowboys eventually won 30-13.
Lett played 6 more seasons for the Cowboys and one year with the Broncos before retiring. In his 11 NFL seasons, Lett recorded 22 sacks and recovered 7 fumbles.
★ Lett's stats
| Contents |
| Bonehead plays |
| Super Bowl XXVII |
| 1993 Thanksgiving Classic |
| Super Bowl XXVIII |
| Later career |
| External links |
Bonehead plays
Lett was a talented player and a cornerstone of the Cowboys defense during its heyday in the early 1990s, but fans will likely remember him for his infamous "bonehead" plays. Two of the top three of ESPN's "25 Biggest Sports Blunders" are attributed to Lett. The fans ranked him #1 and #3, whereas an expert panel placed him at #2 and #3. His career was also marred by a number of drug-related suspensions.
Super Bowl XXVII
The first play (ranked #1 in the ESPN fan list, #2 in the ESPN expert panel) occurred in January 1993, in Super Bowl XXVII. Late in the fourth quarter, Lett recovered a fumble on Buffalo's 45 yard line and proceeded to run it back towards the endone. When he reached the 10 yard line, he started to slow, and held the ball out as he approached the goal line. However, he didn't see a hustling Don Beebe who was chasing him down from behind. Beebe knocked the ball out of Lett's outstretched hand just before he crossed the goal line, which sent the ball through the endzone, and resulted in a touchback that cost Lett his touchdown. Lett later said he was watching the Jumbotron, and trying to do a "Michael Irvin", where he put the ball out across the goal line (i.e. mimicing the Dallas receiver's cocky style of scoring).
The Cowboys had a commanding 52-17 lead at the time, and the play did not affect the outcome of the game, but it certainly embarrassed Lett on the greatest stage in the sport, and it is still well known by football fans today. Lett's gaffe also cost the Cowboys the record for most points scored in a Super Bowl (55, by the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV), and may have cost Dallas the largest margin of victory in a Super Bowl. However, his performance in the game was not a total disappointment: He recorded a sack and 2 forced fumbles, one of them setting up a Dallas touchdown.
1993 Thanksgiving Classic
The second play (ranked #3 in both ESPN lists) occurred during the very next season and was actually more serious as it resulted in a Cowboy defeat. On Thanksgiving Day in 1993, during a rare snow and sleet storm in Dallas, the Cowboys were leading the Miami Dolphins 14-13 with mere seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins attempted a 41-yard field goal to take the lead but the kick was blocked. While most of his teammates began celebrating, Lett attempted to recover the ball but slipped on the ice as he attempted to pick the football up, and Miami recovered the "muff" on the Dallas one yard line. There was no need to pick up the ball as the Cowboys would have automatically received possession and could have simply run out the clock. By touching the ball and then failing to hold onto it, Lett enabled the Dolphins to take possession and then try another field goal. This second attempt was successful and the Dolphins won the game 16-14.
Super Bowl XXVIII
However, Dallas would still go on to win Super Bowl XXVIII. This game also involved a big play by Lett, but this time it was one that was beneficial to his team. With the Cowboys trailing 13-6, Lett forced a fumble while tackling running back Thurman Thomas on the third play of the third quarter. Dallas safety James Washington recovered the ball and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown to tie the game, and the Cowboys eventually won 30-13.
Later career
Lett played 6 more seasons for the Cowboys and one year with the Broncos before retiring. In his 11 NFL seasons, Lett recorded 22 sacks and recovered 7 fumbles.
External links
★ Lett's stats
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