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.”
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.