Daryl Johnston

Daryl Peter Johnston (born February 10, 1966) is an American sportscaster and former professional football fullback and executive. Nicknamed "Moose", he played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), all for Dallas Cowboys.

Johnston played college football for the Syracuse Orange. He was the general manager of the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019, the director of player personnel for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL in 2020, and served as the executive vice president of football operations for the revived incarnation of the USFL for its inaugural season, its president for the USFL's second season, and returning to the executive vice president role when the USFL merged with the XFL to form the United Football League and remaining their for its first two seasons as a merged league.

Johnston was named Western New York Player of the Year in 1983 and simultaneously awarded the Connolly Cup , while playing for Lewiston-Porter High School (locally known as Lew-Port) in Lewiston, New York. The Lancers won the division during his senior year in 1984. His Lew-Port jersey (number 34) was retired on September 1, 2006. In 2008, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

Johnston attended Syracuse University. As a redshirted freshman, he started playing on special teams and would earn the starting fullback position by his sophomore season in 1986.

While playing for Syracuse, Johnston was an All-Big East selection in 1987 and an All-American in 1988. He rushed for 1,830 yards and caught 46 passes during his collegiate career. He once gained 138 yards rushing, the most by a Syracuse running back since Larry Csonka rushed for 154 yards in 1967.

He graduated with a degree in economics.

Johnston was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (39th overall) of the 1989 NFL draft. As a rookie, he received his nickname "Moose" from backup quarterback Babe Laufenberg because of his large stature compared to the rest of the running backs. The name caught on among Dallas fans who would chant "Moooooose" whenever he made a play.

As a Cowboy, Johnston played in 149 consecutive games from 1989-1997. He also became one of the greatest special teams players in franchise history.