04/30/2021
Growing up as a Dallas Cowboys fan in the 80’s was easy. Known as “America’s Team” and coming off the legendary Staubach era had every young boy in the land wanting to be that man. I mean, he’s the guy who coined the phrase “Hail Mary” as a football term! Roger Staubach was my childhood hero. I never imagined he’s someone I’d ever get to meet.
However, at a Pro Football Hall of Fame Superbowl luncheon in Tampa, FL, at the Columbia Restaurant, my buddy Dave Motts turned to me and said, “I want you to meet someone. A fellow Veteran.” He led me and my good friend Tommy through the star-studded lounge of football legends, walked me right up to a man wearing an infamous Gold Jacket and said, “Roger, I’d like you to meet Sergeant Rieman and Joe Manns.” After the initial shock we found enough words to carry this once-in-a-lifetime conversation.
As we were called to take our seat for lunch Tommy, and I learned we were 2 of the 8 people at Staubach’s table. Also at that table was Thurman Thomas. What an unbelievable day!
Later that year, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Week in Canton, OH, Patrick Callahan and I were attending a social hour. I glance over there’s Roger Staubach (AGAIN). He walks right up, extends his hand for a shake and says, “Joe, it’s great to see you again. How have you been?” (How did he remember me?!?!) He invited us to attend a private party later that evening, where Jerry Jones, Tony Dorsett, Michael Irvin and a list of other Cowboys greats were in attendance.
Of all the celebrities and VIP treatment we received that day, the one thing that stood out the most, and still to this day, is that Roger Staubach, my childhood hero, was even larger in real life than my imagination ever dreamed he could be. He is the example of what a public figure role model should be.
