Cowboys flashback: Sean Lee

By Kelsie VanderWijst

Sean Lee had an impressive performance in Week 2 which led him to win the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and his contributions to the Dallas Cowboys deserves some more attention. Lee is one of three to wear the Dallas uniform who has won NFC Defensive Player at least three times- DeMarcus Ware (4) and Ed “Too Tall Jones” (3).

Lee has been plagued by injuries in his NFL career. In 2010, Sean Lee missed two games due to a hamstring injury; followed by missing one game in 2011 with a dislocated wrist. He missed 10 games in 2012 due to a toe injury. His 2013 season was cut short when he suffered a torn ligament in his neck in December. Then in 2014, during the Dallas Cowboys OTA’s Lee got a torn ACL with a slight tear in his meniscus which caused him to miss the whole season.

As of 2014, four seasons since entering the NFL from Penn State, Lee had missed eighteen games and had never played in an entire season. Despite theses multiple injuries in his five year career, Lee has had some spectacular performances, and is a crucial component of the Dallas Cowboys defense when healthy.

In 2011, despite the wrist injury, Lee led the team in tackles. Lee had 12 tackles and one interception in week one of the season. He was the first Dallas Cowboy to earn NFC Defensive player of the month for the first month of the season. He ended the 2011 season with 131 tackles, eight for a loss, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Lee became the second linebacker ever to intercept Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in one year.

In 2012, even though he only played in six games, Lee was fourth on the team in tackles with 77. In the second game of the season, Lee tied a 41-year-old team record of 14 tackles, and again two weeks later.

The 2013 season, Lee led the Dallas Cowboys in interceptions with four. By the fourth game during 2013, Lee set the all-time single-game record with 18 tackles. He was named the NFC player of the month after 11 tackles against the Eagles and the next week with 10 tackles and two interceptions against the Lions.

Three Memorable Games for Sean Lee include:

1. Cowboys vs. Eagles, Sept. 20, 2015

This past Sunday night Lee played his second game in almost a year, and it was a great game for number 50. He had a game-high of 14 tackles, an interception and two broken-up passes in this 20-10 victory. Five of his tackles was inside the line of scrimmage, with two for a loss. He also had four tackles against the run, which resulted in the loss of five yards.

With 1:21 left in the fourth quarter, Lee secured the Dallas win by recovering the Eagles onside kick attempt. The defense must carry the Dallas Cowboys without Tony Romo.

2. Cowboys vs. Colts, Dec. 5, 2010

Lee led the defense in this 38-35 overtime victory with two interceptions and five tackles. In the third quarter in this game the Colts, lead by Peyton Manning, quickly got back into the game with the score 17-14. Lee got his first pick that and returned it for a touchdown, which was the first in his career. Sean Lee sealed the deal by intercepting Manning in overtime to set-up the Dallas Cowboys for the game winning field goal.

3. Cowboys vs. Lions, Oct. 27, 2013

Even though the Dallas Cowboys went on to lose this game on a surprise quarterback sneak, Lee had another two interception performance with a combined total of10 tackles.

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