Robert Shaw (American football)

Robert Leslie Shaw (born October 15, 1956 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama) is a retired American football center in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1979 to 1981. He played college football at the University of Tennessee. Mr. Shaw suffered a knee injury and had to stop playing football. He then went back to college and earned a degree in architectural design and management.

Early years
Robert Shaw attended Joseph Wheeler High School and played varsity football for three years and was a Parade All-American and all-state selection in his senior season of 1975.

He went on to play college football at Tennessee University where he earned a letter as a reserve his freshman year and then came on strong to capture a starting spot in 1977.

He earned all-Southeastern Conference honors in 1978 and 1979 playing center.

Former Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano, was his offensive coordinator during that time.

Professional career
Shaw was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. This was only the second time the Cowboys used a first round pick on an offensive lineman. The first time was in the 1966 NFL Draft when hey selected John Niland.

Shaw began his career backing up John Fitzgerald at center and showed promise.

In 1981 he became the starting center, but three games into his third season, he blew out his right knee in a win against the New England Patriots.

He tried to come back for 20 months but he was never able to pass the team's physical and retired.

Shaw was expected to anchor the Cowboys offensive line for several years, but his knee injury ended his promising career. He played in just 33 games over a 3 year career with the Cowboys.

After Shaw's injury, Tom Rafferty was moved from guard and became the Cowboys starting center.