Nate Newton featured on NFL Network

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Former FAMU All-American and All-MEAC Nathaniel “Nate” Newton was featured as a part of a special entitled “The Great Wall of Dallas,” on the NFL Network (nfl.com/nflnetwork).

The feature was on the impressive offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1990s, which paved the way for their success. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones credits the linemen with being the foundation for the success of the entire team. While NFL Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin garnered most of the attention, the feature took another approach at understanding how their success came about.

Newton, a native of Orlando, where he was a standout a Jones High School, played for FAMU Head Coach Rudy Hubbard.  While large in size, Newton was known as one of the most personable on his team at FAMU. In addition to his picture-perfect football frame, he had incredible speed. He made his mark pulling around end-leading FAMU running backs Frank “Choo Choo” Middleton and Antonio “Body Heat” Barber. Newton earned All-MEAC at FAMU, as well as the nickname “Big Time.”

He was undrafted in 1983 when he finished his career at FAMU, but was picked up by the Washington Redskins in 1983. The next two years, he played in the now-defunct United States Football League (USFL) under Head Coach Steve Spurrier with the Tampa Bay Bandits. When the league folded, he was listed on the All-Time USFL team.

In 1986, he became a Dallas Cowboy, where he would have his most successful stint in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl six times, was named to the Pro Bowl twice and won three Super Bowls.

During his time in Dallas, it was a tradition that the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving. Newton’s popularity soared when then NFL commentator, John Madden, gravitated to him. Madden, a former Super Bowl coach with the Oakland Raiders, also brought attention to the fact that it was the big guys up front, that made it possible for the Cowboys to be successful. Newton was a favorite of Madden’s commentary, causing others to recognize their role in the success of the era.

The special included interviews with Aikman, Deion Sanders, Jones and Pam Oliver.
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