Tony Dorsett 's record 99 yard touchdown run with commentary (1983)

The Cowboys visited the Vikings on January 3, 1983 on Monday Night Football and that is a great stage to make history. This was the first ever run of the whole distance of the field. Ironically Dallas only had 10 men on the field as Ron Springs went to the sidelines. Here is the live version from ABC's MNF in 1983, then Tony describing what happened on a MNF Anniversary show a few years later, then Verne Lundquist describing his experience on his radio broadcast at the time during a TNT broadcast of the Cowboys at Vikings game in 1995.

[@phillawson48]

In my 61 year old mind. This is a greatest run in nfl history

[@trueamerican1307]

Agreed

[@GeneTurner-gg4yo]

With only 10 men on the field!!!

[@jlb7707]

💯 🏈 🎖

[@petewade9675]

Seriously? Any great back with speed could have pulled this run off…not that “great” just a long run with a poor defense imho!

[@krl97a]

​@@petewade9675 First he had to jump over a lineman's leg that almost tripped him. Then he dodged the first wave of defenders without slowing down. Once in the open he had the instinct and vision to cut hard to the right sideline, which in retrospect gave him a chance to score. He had the patience to follow Drew Pearson's downfield block, and the judgment to tell when Drew was out of gas. He made the bold decision to burst forward straight ahead, going all in, rather than dance or cut. Finally he stiff armed off the last defender, who looked to have a good angle on him, absorbing the impact while amazingly staying in bounds on a tightrope, breaking free for the score. A lot of things had to come together. It wasn't just about blazing speed. There's a reason it took 82 years for someone to do it. That it happened when Dallas only had 10 guys on the field makes it even more impressive.

[@3stacksofHighSociety]

TD is the smoothest coolest RB in history. EVERY time he carried the ball there was the very real possibility he could take it the length of the field. This time he LITERALLY went the the length of the field! Unforgettable.

[@mrich1976]

I believe this run should go in the record books as a 100 yard run, not a 99 yard run.

[@ugaais]

I was 13 was able to stay up to watch this..Dallas for life

[@iam01]

Me too! 😂

[@davidgardner1810]

I was 13 years old as well ...Tony D was the man! My childhood HERO.

[@briankbolton4487]

As a Vikings fan in 80s, I have to admit this was spectacular by Dorsett. Dallas 10 men on field, a broken play and 99 and 2/3rds yards.

[@DavidJEyre]

Been looking for this video for a long time ! While Dorsett achieved an incredible feat, Howard Cosell embarrassed himself by saying just moments before the record setting run that " the Cowboys have to learn they can't just turn it on whenever they want to !" A few minutes later, after multiple replays, etc., Howard admitted, " maybe they can turn it on!"

[@rog9601]

That is exactly why I included that Dave as it gives some extra flavor to setting the tone of the play. Howard does get credit for correcting himself !

[@johnjones3813]

Cosell was so incredibly annoying. Loved the sound of his own voice.

[@legrandfromage6450]

Cowboys ended up losing this game after dropping the previous weeks game against Philly. 82 was the beginning of the trend of Dallas finishing regular seasons poorly after a strong start.

[@ckobo84]

Timmy Newsome is the unsung hero

[@ugaais]

TD hit that hole like a shot…wow

[@LynyrdSkynyrdFan]

What a great memory

[@lookinforthe70s]

I remember watching that play live. It was just like the first announcers painted it. The ball went out on the half yard line, and you're thinking "crap", if you're a Cowboys fan. But somewhere deep in the back of your mind the quick thought of "maybe Tony can take 99 yards? Yeah right. lol". Then TD gets the ball and goes into the line of scrimmage and you think ok, if he's going to break it, he will come out the other side. Because everyone knows if Tony gets in the defensive backfield, it's a touchdown waiting to happen. And then... he pops out the other side, and makes that cut to the outside, and it's like "oh sh*t".

[@Nigel-wu5lj]

Tony's 1st 60m acceleration is nuts good. UK.

[@Rayburn58]

No running back in history was as fast off the line of scrimmage as Tony Dorsett. They guy was at full speed as soon as he crossed the line of scrimmage.

[@dantewinston1722]

Just a beautiful run!!!!

[@greggergen9104]

I remember watching that game at my brothers house. The Vikings still won the game.

[@stevemarce1988]

Pearson 88 Ran Interference the Entire Way and Took Out the Only Two Defenders that had the Chance to Catch and Tackle Tony

[@stevereber]

Great Pick ! Glad you covred the kick that ponned them prior.

[@rog9601]

Well thanks Steve !

[@stevereber]

@@rog9601 Wutz up Rog Dawg we need ya. 💪🏈💪 Thnx for everything 🎉

[@benjauron5873]

I just saw Alex Sedrick run the length of the field to score the game-winning try in stoppage time to beat Australia in the bronze medal game of women's rugby sevens, and all this is what came to mind. Alex Sedrick, 99 meters and one half...

[@komradkolonel]

When Dick Vermeil was coaching the Eagles he said he would cringe every time Tony Dorsett touched the ball. On any given play he could take it the distance.

[@rog9601]

Perfect initials, TD gets the TD.

[@williammorton3359]

When I was in high school I thought Tony was the greatest. The a few years later I saw Barry Sanders.

[@OX1947-LFB]

That was seriously a 99 7/8 yard run

[@ckobo84]

I don't know why the defender #37 turned to engage Drew Pearson at the end, that made all the difference. If he didn't turn Drew was no threat, the only thing Drew would be able to do would be to illegally push him in the back otherwise.

[@kasheem1747]

not unless you want him to score

[@Mark-xl1ze]

Awesome

[@jamiehale2136]

He weighed 170 lbs. soppin wet. He retired only behind the great Jim Brown in total rushing yardage in NFL history Pound for pound, the greatest RB in NFL history Roger Goodell was rubbing up against a flat surface when Dorset was making NFL history

[@marquan1976]

Adding to the mystique, the Cowboys only had 10 men on the field

[@johnm8891]

I was there that fateful night. Had a seat just above the end zone so all I saw was the runner just keep coming and coming and coming.... It was a good game though and I'm not sure if any of us had much of a voice left afterwards. MNF was a very big deal back then.

[@rog9601]

How fun to experience and see history !!!

[@Dave-ti2ue]

Great trap block by Herb Scott!

[@bryanburnap4537]

Did Dorsett's pads get bigger every year ?

[@HectorReyes-jk1jb]

Tony Dorsett hizo 99 yardas en el 1983 es la marca se todos los tiempos, la vi en vivo por tv, y tambien esta de de los delfines.

[@davidbrooks8809]

You do know that Dallas only had 10 men on the field..lol do some research and look it up I'm a great Dallas Cowboy fan

[@KoMerdan]

I watched this as it happened. After the mishandled kick return, I asked my dad, "I wonder what the NFL record for run-from-scrimmage is?"

[@soylentteal]

33 + 88 = 99 yards and a half!!

[@nathanielormsby6585]

lol 99 yard run but only had 10 men on the field by accident hahah

[@kasheem1747]

The Vikings Coach didn’t seem to thrilled about the fumble on the 1 yard line 😂

[@bryanburnap4537]

That's right - only 10 men on field

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@kasheem1747Bud Grant wasn't usually one to show emotion.

[@Gman-qm6bv]

Howard Cosell had just said it could not be done. Then, Howard had to eat crow, lol!

[@surfshack2]

I thought this was the ‘78 season.

[@Gman-qm6bv]

1/3/83

[@physicsphirst191]

Who won the game?

[@rog9601]

The Vikes, 31-27

[@rayesmith5141]

Dam right! Frank0 harris!! Would went at of boumds