![]() Newton’s rivalry with NFL defensive legend Reggie White would be some of the most memorable moments during his career. He would make consecutive Pro Bowls in the 90’s with a total of six appearances, only Larry Allen would have more with 10. Newton was one of the key figures on the offensive line that would later be nicknamed “The Great Wall of Dallas”. Newton moved to left guard and suddenly the offensive line was set to make history. Newton’s time in Dallas was very nearly cut short when he put on too much weight and lost to Jimmy Johnson in a foot race.įor the next few seasons Newton would play right tackle for the Cowboys until the arrival of Erik Williams. As soon as he joined the team he was given the nickname “The Kitchen” referencing the fact he was bigger than William “The Fridge” Perry. In 1986 the USFL became insolvent and Newton found himself on the market it was here he would begin his journey with the Dallas Cowboys. He would later return to Tampa Bay and play there for two seasons as one of the teams starting tackles. ![]() In 1994 he was inducted in Florida A&M’s Sports Hall of Fame.Īt first Newton went to go play in the USFL for Tampa Bay, but signed as a UDFA for Washington in 1983. He would earn All-Mid Eastern Athletic Conference honors while playing right tackle. He made the transition to being a full-time offensive lineman during his junior year and completely owned the position. He started playing major reps for the Rattlers during his sophomore season and became a two-way player by taking snaps as both a defensive and offensive lineman. He played fullback but grew to big for the position and had to be moved to the defensive line. Nate Newton had plenty of offers from high profile colleges, but when the time came for him to decide he chose to stay local and enroll at Florida A&M. : #NFL100 Greatest Characters on /eJv7jfBTRJ- NFL October 12, 2019 He was a powerful player, one of the best guards in the NFL for over a decade, a great Dallas Cowboy and an undrafted wonder.“He was one of the great guys in the locker room." He was a staple on the offensive line pass-blocking for quarterback Troy Aikman and helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. Moving “The Kitchen” was not easy, getting around him was even harder.Ĭombine that with his tenacity and mean streak – he was a handful for opposing defensive ends. From 1992 -1995, He, Erik Williams, Mark Tuinei, Mark Stepnoski and Kevin Gogan were one of the best offensive lines in NFL history.Ĭlearing the way for Emmitt Smith in the early 90’s, Newton went to six Pro Bowls and was selected twice as an All-Pro player. He thrived as a run blocker and held his own as a pass blocker because of his surprisingly quick feet. In order for the team to have the best player combination possible on the offensive line, Newton was moved back to left guard. He was forced to get into better shape after Johnson beat him in a running race. Jimmy Johnson moved Newton to the starting right tackle position. While Emmitt Smith was the rushing leader, Nate Newton called himself “The Eating Leader.”Īlthough he became a starter at left guard in 1987, he struggled to maintain playing weight and was almost waived because of it. He had spent so much time at a local deli, that the deli had named three sandwiches after him. Newton was nicknamed “The Kitchen” because he was bigger than William “The Refrigerator” Perry on the Chicago Bears.īig Nate stood 6 foot 10, hovered around 325 pounds during the season and tipped the scale at 400 pounds in the off-season. When Jimmy Johnson took over the team in 1989, he admired Newton for his quick feet and, most of all, his size. When he was signed by Dallas, it was a dream come true for him. While everyone was rooting for the Dolphins, Newton’s heroes were Cliff Harris, Robert Newhouse and Charlie Waters on America’s Team. Growing up in Florida, Newton was an outcast. When the USFL folded the following year, Newton signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1986. That’s when he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits where he played for two seasons (19) as an offensive tackle. Then he was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins but was cut shortly after. His career started without a walk across the NFL Draft stage. This happened after the NFL Draft in 1983 and, in that draft, Newton’s name was never called. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits of the now folded United States Football League. Unlike our previous undrafted wonders, Nate Newton was drafted.
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