Cole also started in Super Bowl XIII in place of injured Pugh, tying a record with 5 Super Bowl appearances. In 1979, he was set to replace retired Pugh at left defensive tackle, but opened the season at left defensive end in place of Ed "Too Tall" Jones, who unexpectedly retired to pursue boxing. When John Dutton became the regular left defensive end for the last four games. Cole switched back to left defensive tackle. During his career, he made some of the biggest defensive plays in the history of the Cowboys franchise. Probably his most famous play, was the tackle of hall of famer-to-be John Riggins for a two-yard loss on third-and-two late in the game, that set up one of the most dramatic wins in Cowboys history on December 16. As it turned out, it was the last of Roger Staubach's comebacks. In that game he also had 10 tackles and 2 unofficial sacks. In 1980, he started 16 games at left defensive tackle ahead of Dutton. On March 26, 1981, he announced his retirement, becoming along with D.D. Lewis, the first three-decade Cowboys in franchise history. He is one of only eight NFL players that appeared in five Super Bowls: (V, VI, X, XII and XIII). Cole helped the Cowboys win 2 Super Bowls and 5 NFC Championships. He played in 26 total playoff games, a record when he retired. As an athlete, he was said to be very smart and versatile, playing different positions along the defensive line during his career. He was a member of the "Zero Club" which prided itself on performing behind the scenes. Their first rule, "Thou Shalt Not Seek Publicity", kept their members (Cole, Blaine Nye and Pat Toomay) out of the limelight. Cole was overshadowed as a defensive lineman by not one, but two generations of great players: first Lilly, Pugh and George Andrie; then White, Martin and Jones. Cole started at left end for the Cowboys in their first two Super Bowls, Super Bowl V (a loss to the Baltimore Colts) and Super Bowl VI (a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins). In Super Bowl X vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cole moved to right tackle to replace the retired Lilly and allow youngsters Martin and Jones to start at end. The NFL didn't start recognizing quarterback sacks as an official stat until 1982, however, the Cowboys have their own records, dating back before the 1982 season.