(This story originally appeared in Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine. For subscription information, please click here.)
Of the 1,027 men who have played for the Dallas Cowboys, only one has taken his own life. Larry Bethea was the team’s first-round selection in the 1978 NFL Draft, a defensive end from Michigan State, a National Honors Society student seemingly without limits to his potential.
The plan was simple, really. Spend a few seasons learning from All-Pro ends Harvey Martin and Ed “Too Tall” Jones, take one of their starting gigs and collect a few Super Bowl rings and Pro Bowl nods.