Sometimes statistics don't tell the whole story about a player. In Daryl Johnston's case, they speak very little about the man known as "Moose."

	Johnston's grunt work was so appreciated the Pro Bowl began inviting fullbacks in '93.

Ignore the 753 rushing yards and 294 receptions in his 11-year NFL career. To gauge Johnston's place in history, one must look at two figures -- the Dallas Cowboys' three Super Bowl titles and Emmitt Smith's nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in the 1990s.

Without Johnston, both probably would have never happened.

Johnston made sure linebackers didn't get a direct hit on Smith. He also made sure blitzers would have to go through him before getting to Troy Aikman. The job wasn't glamorous, but no fullback did the dirty work better than him. And he did it for 149 consecutive games until a neck injury forced him to sit in 1997.

These selfless contributions made up his individual greatness. Add them up over the '90s and you have the greatest player at that position on the greatest team of the decade.

Mike Alstott scored two more touchdowns (34) than Johnston in seven fewer seasons, and Larry Centers gained more receiving yards in one season (962) than Johnston ever rushed for in his entire career. However, Johnston was the consummate fullback. He relished the role as the punishing blocker, and the Cowboys fans loved him for it.

"His unique skill to adjust and make the block in a split second in space -- that enabled him to deliver that blow with power and spring a hole open for Emmitt Smith -- was arguably as responsible for any success we've had as any player or any coach that's been a part of our organization," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at Wednesday's press conference.

	“	For them to be cheering for a guy who couldn't even muster a thousand yards in a 10-year career, they had to go beyond the statistical value of a player and really appreciate the behind-the-scenes work that he was doing. ”
		— Daryl Johnston, Cowboys fullback

While Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders embodied the Cowboys' cockiness and Aikman and Smith represented their toughness, Johnston defined Dallas' blue-collar determination. It's the main reason why he became one of the most beloved Cowboys.

"Moooooooooose!" is all you heard when Johnston plunged head-first into the pile or grabbed a swing pass with a two-hand death grip on the ball. It didn't matter if the Cowboys were at Texas Stadium or on the road. The fans screamed his nickname anywhere, and that was all you needed to hear to know the Dallas offense was rolling along.

"It always brought a smile to my face," Johnston said of the moose call. "They were probably the most intelligent fans in the world. Because, for them to be cheering for a guy who couldn't even muster a thousand yards in a 10-year career, they had to go beyond the statistical value of a player and really appreciate the behind-the-scenes work that he was doing."

When Smith finally strolls into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he should follow Johnston's lead. It would be fitting since that's how Smith amassed most of his 13,963 rushing yards.

The Hall of Fame committee should keep that image in mind when it decides on the All-Decade team this summer.

Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.