Former Dallas Cowboys RB Don Perkins dies at 84

Don Perkins, the first of many great running backs in Cowboys history, died Thursday, the team announced.

He was 84.

Perkins was a ninth-round pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1960 but would never play for them. Prior to the NFL draft, Perkins signed a personal-services contract to play for the Cowboys. The NFL determined because the Cowboys were admitted too late as an expansion team to participate in the draft it would allow Perkins to remain with Dallas. The Colts received a ninth-round pick in exchange.

Despite missing the 1960 season with a broken foot, Perkins’ career took off when he recovered. He was named to the Pro Bowl in his first three NFL seasons, scoring 18 touchdowns. He was named to the All-Pro team in 1962.

Perkins played on three playoff teams and was the fullback in the famed 1967 NFL Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, more commonly known as The Ice Bowl. It was 13 degrees below zero at kickoff.

It was a game the Cowboys would lose, 21-17.

Perkins rushed for 6,217 yards with 42 touchdowns in eight seasons. His rushing yards and touchdowns ranks fourth in franchise history. Perkins was named to the Pro Bowl six times in his career. He was inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor next to his starting quarterback Don Meredith in 1976. Perkins becomes the second Ring of Honor member to die this year. Rayfield Wright died at the age of 76 in April.

In 2006, Perkins was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Perkins was the first great back in franchise history. He was followed in later years Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

The Cowboys discovered Perkins after a standout career at the University of New Mexico. He was named to the All-American team in 1959. He led the nation in kickoff returns in 1958 and his 2,001 rushing yards is 14th all-time in school history.

“I grew up a Lobo fan, and growing up in Albuquerque, you were either a fan of the Cowboys or the Broncos, and I was and still am a huge Cowboys fan, so having a Lobo play for the Cowboys was always special for me,” New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales said in a statement.

“When we had a function after getting hired in 2019, Don came out to meet the new staff and it was a thrill to have him around our program. He was a tremendous person, and he did great things for the state of New Mexico after retiring from the Cowboys. It’s sad to know he is no longer with us, but we can certainly celebrate a wonderful life for a terrific man.”

“We were all deeply saddened by the passing of Don Perkins,” The Dallas Cowboys said in a statement. “As one of the first players to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, Don was a man who set the standard for future generations of Cowboys running backs.

“He laid the foundation for the strong history of the position in Dallas, and it is a true testament to his skill, ability and versatility that he is still the fourth-leading rusher in franchise history to this date. He was a true family man, a pillar of his community, a well-deserved Ring of Honor member and a selfless teammate. Our condolences and deepest sympathy go out to Don’s family, friends and loved ones.”

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