Don Meredith

Joseph Donald Meredith, widely known as “Dandy Don,” was born on April 10, 1938, in Mount Vernon, Texas. An early standout in both football and basketball at Mount Vernon High School, he also participated in school plays and graduated as salutatorian. His collegiate career at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas saw him excel as a quarterback from 1957 to 1959, leading the Southwest Conference in passing completion percentage each year. His exceptional performance earned him All-America selections in 1958 and 1959, leading to the affectionate nickname “Southern Meredith University” among his peers. SMU later honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1983 and retired his jersey number 17 in 2008. In 1982, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Meredith’s professional football journey began uniquely, signing a personal-services contract with the Tecon Corporation, owned by Clint Murchison, who would soon establish the Dallas Cowboys. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1960 NFL draft, his rights were subsequently acquired by the Cowboys, effectively making him one of the team’s inaugural players. He initially served as backup to Eddie LeBaron, eventually becoming the full-time starting quarterback in 1963. Under coach Tom Landry’s guidance, Meredith led the Cowboys to three consecutive postseason appearances from 1966 to 1968, including back-to-back NFL Championship Game appearances in 1966 and 1967. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1966, earned second-team All-Pro honors, and was selected for three Pro Bowls from 1966 to 1968. He retired from professional football in 1969, at the age of 31, with a record of a 50.7% completion rate, 17,199 passing yards, and 135 touchdowns. In 1976, he was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Following his football career, Meredith found significant success as a color commentator for “Monday Night Football” from 1970 to 1984, becoming an original member of the broadcast team alongside Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. Known for his charismatic and folksy commentary, he would often humorously sing “Turn out the lights, the party’s over” when a game’s outcome was decided. He briefly moved to “NFL on NBC” from 1974 to 1976 before returning to “Monday Night Football.” His broadcasting career concluded after Super Bowl XIX in 1984. Beyond sports, Meredith pursued an acting career, appearing in several films and television shows, including a recurring role as Detective Bert Jameson in “Police Story” and a voice role in “King of the Hill.” He also engaged in marketing efforts for Docutel automated teller machines. Don Meredith passed away on December 5, 2010, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 72 years old.