Lockhart became the first rookie in Cowboys history to start at middle linebacker, when Bob Breunig went down with a back injury during the first half of the season.
After Breunig retired at the end of the year, he became just the fourth player in Cowboys' history to have held that position on a regular basis.
In 1989, he led the NFL and set a club record with 222 tackles, while also leading the team in interceptions (2) and the linebackers in passes deflected (8).
He was one of the few standout players on otherwise lackluster teams, which eventually cost him a chance to earn Pro Bowl honors and other accolades.
Head coach Jimmy Johnson's system favored more agile linebackers, so Lockhart was traded to the New England Patriots on April 19, 1991.
[3] Lockhart played in the NFL for 9 seasons (7 with the Cowboys, 2 with the Patriots), started 117 games, recorded over 1,001 tackles, 16 sacks and 6 interceptions (1 returned for a TD).
[5] In 2009, Lockhart and eight others were indicted on federal charges of organizing a $20 million mortgage fraud scheme in the Dallas, Texas, area.