Charlie Waters was selected by the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive back in the third round (66th overall) of the 1970 NFL draft. Although he was nearly released during training camp, his conversion was successful and became the backup to Cliff Harris at free safety as a rookie in 1970. He ended up starting 6 games after Harris had to serve military duty. Waters had 5 interceptions that season, as the Cowboys would go on to lose Super Bowl V. His performance was good enough to make the NFL all-rookie team in 1970. Waters was moved to Strong Safety in 1975 to replace Cowboys great Cornell Green, responding with 3 interceptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. That season, the Cowboys won the NFC Championship but lost Super Bowl X to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a strong safety Charlie became an All-Pro and along with Cliff Harris, formed one of the best safety tandems of that era.

 

Waters was like a coach on the field, with excellent instincts and the athletic ability, to become one of the league’s top defensive players of the decade. He was selected All-Pro twice (1977 and 1978) and to the Pro Bowl three consecutive seasons (1976-1978). Waters played 12 seasons in the NFL, never experienced a losing season and only missed the playoffs once (1974) during that span. He played in five Super Bowls: V, VI, X, XII, and XIII, with victories in VI and XII. He holds the NFL record for most playoff interceptions with 9, including 3 in one playoff game, and has the unique achievement of blocking 4 punts in 2 consecutive games. Show your appreciation for Charlie Waters with collectibles, photographs and more here at the Drew Pearson's Cowboys Legends Pro Shop.