Timmy Newsome facts for kids

Timothy Arthur Newsome (born May 17, 1958) is a former American football player. He was a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He also played college football at Winston-Salem State University.

Timmy Newsome's Early Life and Sports

Timmy Newsome grew up in Ahoskie, North Carolina. He went to Ahoskie High School. There, he played football as a safety and cornerback.

High School Football Success

In 1974, when Timmy was a sophomore, his team had a great season. They won 13 games and only lost one. They even made it to the State 3A Championship game.

As a senior, Timmy was part of a very strong defense. His team allowed only 32 points all season. They had eight games where the other team scored no points at all. Over three years, his high school football teams had an impressive record of 32 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie. Timmy was recognized for his skills in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1976, he played in the North-South High School All-Star game.

College Football Career Highlights

Timmy Newsome earned a football scholarship to Winston-Salem State University. When he started college, he changed his position to running back.

Becoming a Star Running Back

In 1977, during his second year, Timmy ran for 998 yards. He also scored 14 touchdowns. The next year, in 1978, he ran for 1,377 yards. This was the second-highest in his division. He averaged 7.5 yards per run and scored 14 more touchdowns. In his final year, 1979, he ran for 987 yards and scored nine touchdowns.

Undefeated Seasons and Team Success

The Winston-Salem State football teams in 1977 and 1978 were coached by Bill Hayes. These teams were some of the best in the school's history. They went undefeated in both seasons. Timmy Newsome, along with other running backs Arrington Jones and Randy Bolton, led these teams. They used an offensive strategy called the Veer offense.

In 1977, the team finished 11–0. They played in the Gold Bowl in Richmond, Virginia, but lost a close game 10–7. In 1978, they went 11–0 again. They won their first playoff game 17–0.

College Records and Hall of Fame

Timmy was the top rusher and scorer in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) for his last three seasons. He finished his college career as the leading rusher in his school's history. He had 3,843 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns. He was also one of the top all-time rushers in the CIAA. In 1978 and 1979, he was named to the Sheridan All America Black College Football Team. He was also the Black College Football Offensive Player of the Year in 1978.

Timmy Newsome has been honored many times for his college achievements.

• In 1993, he was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame.
• He also joined the Winston-Salem State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
• In 2019, he was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
• In 2022, he joined the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional Football with the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys picked Timmy Newsome in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL draft. He was the 162nd player chosen overall.

Starting as a Fullback

Timmy made the Cowboys team. Since the team already had a star running back named Tony Dorsett, Timmy was moved to play fullback as a rookie. Fullbacks are known for blocking for other runners and catching passes. In his first year, he scored 2 touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers.

Key Moments and Role Changes

In 1982, after struggling for two seasons, Timmy was moved back to running back. He had an 18-yard touchdown run in a game against the Washington Redskins. He also had a 43-yard catch and a 46-yard touchdown catch against the Houston Oilers. In a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, he caught 7 passes for 70 yards and scored a touchdown.

In 1983, he had 185 rushing yards and 250 receiving yards, scoring 6 touchdowns. In a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught a short pass and turned it into a 52-yard touchdown. This play sent the game into overtime with only 47 seconds left. In 1984, he started as a fullback in the last four games of the season.

Becoming a Starter and Versatile Player

In 1985, Timmy became the starting fullback for 14 games. He ran for 252 yards and caught 46 passes for 361 yards, scoring 3 touchdowns.

In 1986, he started 12 games at fullback. He often played alongside Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker. They formed a special offensive group called the "full-house backfield" under coach Tom Landry. Timmy also sometimes played as a third tight end. He finished that season with 48 catches for 421 yards and 5 touchdowns.

In 1987, he started 8 games at fullback. He scored 2 rushing touchdowns against the Detroit Lions. He also caught 2 touchdown passes against the Miami Dolphins.

Final Season and Legacy

In 1988, Timmy started the season well. He led the team in rushing touchdowns with 3 through the first half of the season. However, he suffered a calf injury that ended his season after the ninth game. By then, he had moved into ninth place on the Cowboys' all-time receiving list with 212 catches.

In 1989, a new coach, Jimmy Johnson, took over the Cowboys. Timmy was released as the team looked for younger players. He played for 9 seasons, mostly as a blocker and receiver. He helped pave the way for Cowboys legends like Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker.

Timmy Newsome finished his NFL career with 1,226 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. He also had 1,966 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. He was a versatile player, sometimes even playing as a tight end. In 1990, the Dallas Cowboys Weekly Newspaper selected him for the Dallas Cowboys all-decade team.