Leon Lett became infamous for two memorable mishaps: a fumble just before scoring in Super Bowl XXVII and a failed attempt to recover a blocked field goal during a Thanksgiving game.
Fast-forward to December 9, AT&T Stadium and Amani Oruwariye added his infamous moment to the Cowboys’ history.
Highlights
- At the age of 16, Lett endured a heartbreaking loss when his father, Leon Sr., passed away.
- He admires Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who has been like a father figure to him since the early days.
- Unfortunately, his mother, Rachel Iona Dale Lett, passed away on February 12, 2024, at a local hospital.
With just 2:00 left in a 20-20 game, the Cowboys had the Bengals in a challenging 4th-and-27 situation.
They were set to get the ball back and had a chance to win, improving to 6-7 and keeping their playoff hopes alive. But then, things went wrong.
It all started when Nick Vigil broke through the line and partially blocked Cincinnati’s punt. The ball flew to the Bengals’ 30-yard line and took a big bounce.
In a bizarre moment, Oruwariye tried to catch the ball on the bounce, but it grazed his left arm and fumbled, much like Lett’s mistake 31 years earlier.
Leon Lett’s Father, Leon Lett Sr Passed Away When He Was 16
Leon Lett, the shy kid who grew up on a dirt road in Fairhope, Alabama, struggled with severe social anxiety.
But off the field, it was a different story. His teammates named him “Big Cat” on the football field for his quick burst off the line and surprising agility.
As if I couldn’t hate Joe Buck more he has to bring up the Leon Lett snow game #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/OLSozqFq1h
— Tiffany Watkins (@TiffyJene) December 10, 2024
He went on to win three Super Bowls, earning two Pro Bowl selections, and enjoyed a successful 11-year career in the NFL.
Lett faced a devastating loss at just 16 years old when his father, Leon Sr., passed away.
This left his mother, Rachel Lett, to raise four children independently.
Leon Lett also deeply admires Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Jones has been like a father figure to him since the early days.
Throughout his coaching career, no one has been more supportive than Jones.
He’s always been there for me. I’ve been so incredibly blessed to have him in my life.
Leon Lett
Further, Jones quickly realized that anxiety was a major issue for Leon Lett early in his career.
Along with this, Lett faced a series of off-the-field problems that led to five violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, resulting in three suspensions and costing him 28 games over a four-season span.
Jones has spoken publicly about how some of the substance abuse programs at the time were not fair, particularly in cases like Lett’s, where his struggles were more related to mental health than addiction.
Leon Lett’s Late Mother Was The Breadwinner Of The Family Following His Father’s Demise
Rachel Lett raised two daughters, Iris Trent and Roxie (Waymond) Buchanan, and two sons, Leon Lett, Jr. and Carlos Lett, as a single mother after her husband’s demise.
Thanksgiving 1993
— Big E (@ian693) November 25, 2021
Miami Dolphins vs Dallas Cowboys
I bet you still remember where you were when Leon Lett made Dolphins history. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/yGFe0Zdxqs
Sadly, Rachel Iona Dale Lett, a native and lifelong resident of Fairhope, Alabama, peacefully passed away on February 12, 2024, at a local hospital.
His mother graduated with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Alabama State College.
She then dedicated many years to working in the family-owned “Starlight” business, which ran successfully for over four decades.
Additional Information
- He played college football at Emporia State University and was drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
- Lett spent most of his career in Dallas, playing for the Cowboys for 10 seasons before wrapping up his playing days with the Denver Broncos in 2001.
- He has a daughter, Leondra.
- After retiring from playing, Lett transitioned into coaching, serving as the Cowboys’ assistant defensive line coach from 2011 to 2022.
