Page "Super Bowl XIII" Paragraph 33

The torrid scoring pace slowed during much of the third quarter, as both teams began to assert themselves on the defensive side of the ball.

But late in the quarter, a 12-yard punt return by Cowboys receiver Butch Johnson gave Dallas good field position on their 42-yard line.

The Cowboys subsequently drove down to the Steelers 10-yard line, mostly with Dorsett's rushing.

Then on third down with less than three minutes remaining in the period, Staubach spotted 38-year old reserve tight end Jackie Smith wide open in the end zone and threw him the ball.

Coach Landry said Staubach tried to throw the ball soft when he saw how wide open Smith was and that it came in low, and that when Smith tried to stop, his feet seemed to come out from under him.

Jackie Smith states that it was still a catchable ball and that he should have made the play.

Instead, Smith dropped the pass and the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal from kicker Rafael Septien, cutting their deficit to 21 – 17.

Though Smith played 16 years in the league and is now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is perhaps best known for his embarrassing blunder on the sport's biggest stage.