Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 56)

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We countdown the days to kickoff giving you an interesting fact about each number. Today is number 56

We are at day 56 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 56.

If you want to check any player that has worn the number 56 jersey for Dallas, there is no crazier story than Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson.

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Thomas Henderson was born March 1, 1953 and drafted by Dallas in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He was the second player selected by Dallas that year, in a draft that gained fame as “The Dirty Dozen”. During his rookie year, he played mostly on special teams and he notably ran back a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, which stands as the fourth longest score in franchise history.

In 1977, Henderson was named as one of the starting linebackers and became an important piece in establishing the “Doomsday defense”. He led the team in tackles during Super Bowl XII, a game where the Cowboys defense completely dominated by forcing eight turnovers and allowing only 35 net-passing yards. The Super Bowl voting committee even inquired with the league about the possibility of awarding the Super Bowl MVP to all 11 starting defensive players for Dallas. The subsequent year, Henderson was also among the defenders who assisted Mike Hegman in his fumble recovery for a touchdown during Super Bowl XIII.

Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

However, not all aspects of Henderson’s story is favorable. His drug addiction played a significant role in his dismissal from the team and forcing Tom Landry to place him on the retired/reserve list. Subsequently, he faced multiple arrests post-football and reached a low point in his life. Following his time in prison, he emerged with the aim of rehabilitation and striving to make constructive changes in his life.

Then an unexpected twist came for Henderson when he ended up winning the state lottery, earning a staggering $28 million. A decade later, he won another lottery. Currently, he divides his time by sharing his story in prisons, churches, and anyone who could benefit or draw inspiration from it. As a testament to Henderson’s impact to the game, Lawrence Taylor once revealed that Henderson was his idol in college, which is why Taylor wore number 56 for the Giants.

Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images

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Cowboys Training Camp, Oxnard, 25th July (11 days to go).