Jimmy Johnson still gets a little chilly when thinking back on the monumental error made during a Thanksgiving ice storm that cost the Dallas Cowboys the game, even though it happened nearly 30 years ago.
Yes, that was Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett sliding in the closing seconds of the Miami Dolphins game at Texas Stadium in an effort to retrieve a blocked field goal.
No, the 6-foot-6 Lett had no business attempting to retrieve the ball after his teammate Jimmie Jones blocked a 41-yard attempt, effectively giving the Cowboys a 14-13 victory.
On November 25, 1993, the Dolphins recovered at the 1-yard line when Lett turned and raced more than 20 yards to sabotage the play by making contact with the football. Pete Stoyanovich then kicked a second-chance chip-shot range goal, giving Miami a 16-14 victory.
What a wild conclusion! Johnson said this week for USA TODAY Sports, "It was ridiculous. "How many Thanksgivings does it snow like that in Dallas?
Because of the snow and ice on the field, Joe Avezzano, the special teams coach, approached me and asked, "What do you think about this idea: What if we take one of our large players and place him in the middle?" The ice and snow might allow us to deflect a low kick.
Johnson, 79, was the first coach to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship. Additionally, he is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, which provides an abundance of information.