As the crowds gathered on the ground level of the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Friday, January 23, Connecting Point of Park Cities patrons stood in line to have a photo opportunity with Sir Roger Staubach and his Lady Marianne. An over-30-something organizer admitted amazement, as the photo line up looked like an iPhone debut.
Cell phones were busy taking photos of friends and even strangers, just to snap the Staubachs. With eye wide open, she whispered, “I didn’t realize he was such a big deal.”
But looking around the room, it became apparent that Roger the Dodger was a really big deal. After all, in addition to being a Heisman winner and Super Bowl champ, he was a mega-big dealmaker in commercial real estate. What most didn’t realize is his secret weapon. It was the blonde in the red dress who stood by him throughout the picture taking. These folks, along with those downstairs checking the silent auction, would soon learn about Team Staubach.
As the line finally was nearing an end, the organizer asked if she could have her photo taken with the Staubachs.
After the last photo was taken, Roger accommodated a couple of videographers’ off-camera questions. To the side Marianne told how the Cowboys of the Staubach era were diminishing. In recent days, it seemed like the only time they got together was for funerals. Marianne had decided enough was enough. She was orchestrating a gathering of the Cowboy wives of old to recall and celebrate their lives.
When asked about the difference between the 1970’s and today’s Cowboys, Marianne didn’t hesitate — “It was a different world.” There were only three TV networks. Players were paid non-outrageous salaries. In the off-season players had to seek other income to keep things going.
For the Staubachs, who had five children, Roger got into real estate with the late Henry S. Miller Jr., and learned the ropes. That would lead to a boon of financial success with his own company and eventually Jones Lang LaSalle.
But on this day Ma and Pa Staubach were having a chat with Scott Murray to raise awareness and funds for Connecting Points. Before the Staubachs took their places on stage, though, Connecting Point of Park Cities Program Executive Director Jamie Reynolds thanked sponsors like Merrill Lynch, donors and guests and asked the staff to stand. She told how Connecting Points had come a long way in providing education, vocational training, social and recreational services for adults with disabilities. In the past year, the non-profit has hired four employees, purchased a bus to transport “teammates” and provided services Monday through Friday.
After lunch was served, Staubachs Connect Co-Chairs Hollee and Rick Mills settled back with guests like Robin Bagwell, Anne Besser, Jan and Scott Osborn, Dare Gillette, Dallas Morning News sportswriter Kevin Sherrington and the late Lamar Hunt’s daughter, Sharron Hunt, to hear about the Staubachs.
While the following video is not up to the quality of professional networks, it’s worth watching. You’ll learn
- What Marianne believes is Roger’s greatest trait.
- How the two met in fourth grade.
- What it was like for Marianne to be a single parent with three youngsters while Roger served in the Navy in Viet Nam.
- How Roger almost signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Roger’s take on deflate-gate.
BTW, here are a couple of dates for you to mark down:
- Roger’s birthday is Thursday, February 5.
- On Friday, September 4, the Staubachs will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.