Written by Max Winters, Dailymail.Com
12:53 February 13, 2024, updated 13:50 February 13, 2024
- Former Dallas Cowboys guard Tony Hutson died earlier this month at age 49
- Hutson appeared in 20 games during his NFL career and also played for Washington.
- DailyMail.com brings you all the latest international sports news
Former Dallas Cowboys guard Tony Hutson died earlier this month at the age of 49.
Hutson appeared in 20 games during his NFL career, including 17 in his three years with the Cowboys.
He also spent time with the Washington Redskins, where he played in just three games.
“The 1996 Dallas Cowboys rookies had a special bond,” said an online obituary posted by former teammate Randall Godfrey.
“He visited Valdosta several times to help with my annual football camp. I cherished every moment he made me cry after we laughed so hard.
“You caught us off guard with this. Please rest, little brother. Gone too soon.'
Hutson excelled as an offensive tackle at MacArthur High School in Texas and also played at Kilgore College. He also attended Northeastern Oklahoma State University.
Despite Hutson's talent, he went undrafted in 1996 after the Raiders discovered a benign tumor in his lung during a physical exam.
After undergoing surgery to remove it, the Cowboys signed him as a free agent.
“My first thought was that I would never be able to play football again,” Hutson said at the time.
“But then I thought there was more to life than football. I just wanted to live my life. I talked to my mom about it and prayed.”
He spent a season on Dallas' practice squad, but played for the first time in 1997, starting against the Redskins in a thrilling 17-14 victory.
Hutson left Dallas after the 1999 season and then joined Washington, but played in just three games.
He also signed with the Raiders in 2001, but a triceps injury forced him to be released by the Raiders before the start of the regular season.
