IRVING, Texas – Since taking the job in 2010, Jason Garrett has mentioned several influences on his coaching career. One was Joe Avezzano, the fiery special teams coach during the Cowboys' 1990s Super Bowl run who passed away suddenly last week at the age of 68.
Garrett was a backup quarterback for eight years during Avezzano's 13-year tenure in Dallas.
"Joe Avezzano was a great football coach, but, more than that, he was an outstanding human being," Garrett said. "The impact that he had on me and the hundreds of other players and coaches who had the good fortune to be around him was significant. There are not many days that go by where we are not sharing a legendary Joe Avezzano story or using a trademark Joe Avezzano expression.
"He was a wonderful friend. We loved him very much, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Diann, and his son, Tony."
