Dallas acquired Buddy Dial from Pittsburgh in the agreement…
Dallas acquired Buddy Dial from Pittsburgh in the agreement announced December 18, 1963, sending the Steelers the rights to first-round pick Scott Appleton. Dial produced 713 receiving yards for the Cowboys, giving Dallas a tangible offensive return. Appleton never played for Pittsburgh, so the Cowboys clearly received more value even though the transaction was formally completed after Appleton's college season formally concluded.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Gilbert Dial / Buddy Dial
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- other rights to Scott Appleton
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1963-12-18, Dallas Cowboys received Gilbert Dial / Buddy Dial, while Pittsburgh Steelers received rights to Scott Appleton. The trade is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange. When a draft choice cannot be tied confidently to a later selection, the asset remains described at the level the historical evidence supports.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Dallas acquired Buddy Dial from Pittsburgh in the agreement announced December 18, 1963, sending the Steelers the rights to first-round pick Scott Appleton. Dial produced 713 receiving yards for the Cowboys, giving Dallas a tangible offensive return. Appleton never played for Pittsburgh, so the Cowboys clearly received more value even though the transaction was formally completed after Appleton's college season formally concluded.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh sent Buddy Dial to Dallas for the rights to Scott Appleton, with the agreement public in December 1963 and formal completion following in January 1964. Appleton never played for the Steelers, leaving Pittsburgh without an on-field return. Dial produced 713 receiving yards for Dallas, making the value gap substantial and supporting the Steelers' lowest grade in this Wave 202 group.
Value in Hindsight
The agreement date and formal completion date can coexist without creating a contradiction. Contemporary coverage shows the trade was publicly agreed on December 18, 1963, while Pittsburgh's later account explains that final completion waited until Appleton's college season formally concluded. The value result is much simpler: Appleton never played for Pittsburgh, and Dial produced 713 receiving yards for Dallas. That leaves a wide gap in realized football value and justifies Dallas' B- against Pittsburgh's F despite the unusual timing details.
Final Verdict
The final call is Dallas Cowboys Win. Dallas Cowboys earns B-, and Pittsburgh Steelers earns F. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.