Larry Cole was selected in the sixteenth round (428th overall) of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the first player from Hawaii to be drafted by a National Football League team. He was chosen as an offensive tackle, but was switched to the defensive line one week into training camp. Cole was overshadowed as a defensive lineman by not one, but two generations of great players: first Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh and George Andrie; then Randy White, Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones.

 

Cole started at left end for the Cowboys in their first two Super Bowls, Super Bowl V (a loss to the Baltimore Colts) and Super Bowl VI (a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins). In Super Bowl X vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cole moved to right tackle to replace the retired Lilly and allow youngsters Martin and Jones to start at end. White took over the starting position at right tackle in Super Bowl XII, relegating Cole to a reserve role in the Cowboys' 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. He returned to the starting lineup at left tackle for Super Bowl XIII when age caught up with Pugh. 

 

Larry Cole retired at the end of the 1980 season, becoming along with D.D. Lewis, the first three-decade Cowboys in franchise history. Show your appreciation for Larry Cole with collectibles, photographs and more here at the Drew Pearson's Cowboys Legends Pro Shop.