Days before the Cowboys head back to Green Bay for the first time since the famous Ice Bowl Game at Lambeau Field, the organization mourns the passing of one of the key players from the game.
Longtime Cowboys defensive tackle Jethro Pugh has passed away at the age of 70. According to close family members, Pugh died of natural causes.
"This is a sad day for Cowboys fans, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Jethro's family," said Dallas Cowboys Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones. "He was loved and appreciated by his teammates and Cowboys fans for decades, and his spirit will be felt when our team travels to Green Bay this weekend."
One of the longest-tenured players in franchise history, Pugh played 14 seasons with the Cowboys from 1965-78, playing in five Super Bowls and winning two rings. Only three players in franchise history (Ed Jones, Bill Bates and Mark Tuinei) have played more seasons with the Cowboys than Pugh, who is tied for 14 years along with Bob Lilly, Lee Roy Jordan, Randy White, Mel Renfro and Tom Rafferty.
Pugh was a regular starter at defensive tackle for 12 consecutive years and is sixth on the club's all-time sack chart, finishing his Cowboys career with 95.5. He led the club in sacks for five consecutive seasons (1968-72).
He was right in the middle of the action during the 1967 championship game at Lambeau Field. In fact, the Packers scored the game-winning touchdown on Bart Starr's sneak right over the middle of the Cowboys' line, giving Green Bay the 21-17 win.
That was the last playoff meeting between the Cowboys and Packers at Lambeau Field, where the two teams will meet again Sunday afternoon (Noon, kickoff) in the NFC Divisional Playoff round.
