Tyron Smith
A technically flawless offensive tackle whose decade of dominance for the Dallas Cowboys redefined the standard for left-side protectors.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American football player·Birthday: December 12·Millennials
Biography
For over a decade, Tyron Smith was not just a Dallas Cowboy; he was the immovable object guarding the quarterback's blind side. Drafted ninth overall in 2011 out of USC, where he won the Morris Trophy as the West Coast's top lineman, Smith immediately translated college promise into professional mastery. His blend of rare athleticism for his size, impeccable footwork, and brute strength made him the NFL's premier left tackle throughout the 2010s. Despite battling persistent back injuries that required surgery and limited his practice time, his game-day performance rarely dipped. His eight Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors are a testament to the sustained excellence he delivered, anchoring the Cowboys' line and earning a spot on the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tyron was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tyron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Tyron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team.
- Earned eight Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honors.
- Played 14 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, starting 161 games at left tackle.
- Won the Morris Trophy in 2010 as the best offensive lineman on the US West Coast.
Did You Know?
He played his final NFL season with the New York Jets in 2024.
He is known for his exceptionally long arms, a major asset for an offensive tackle.
He played college football at the University of Southern California (USC).
“My job is simple: protect the quarterback at all costs.”
