Bob McCreary


Robert Joe McCreary is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Wake Forest University.

Early years

McCreary attended Hudson High School. Although he never played football before his freshman season, he developed into an honorable-mention All-state football player as a senior. He also practiced basketball.
He accepted a football scholarship from Wake Forest University. After suffering a career threatening knee injury as a freshman in 1958, he recovered to become a two-way tackle.
In 2013, he was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

McCreary was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He was waived on September 4.

Dallas Cowboys

On September 6, 1961, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. He began the season on the taxi squad, before being promoted to the active roster on October 20. He appeared in 9 games with 4 starts at right tackle. He was released on September 3, 1962.

Calgary Stampeders (CFL)

In 1963, he was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.

Personal life

After retiring from professional football, he worked for twenty years in sales in the furniture industry, before starting his own home-furnishing business, McCreary Modern.
In 2008, he received the Gene Hooks Achievement Award from the Wake Forest Varsity Club.
In 2014, he donated a considerable amount of money so Wake Forest University could build an indoor practice facility. The facility was decided to be named after him. The scoreboard at BB&T Field, the athletic center weight room, and the Plaza in front of Deacon Tower, are also named after McCreary.