Don Meredith, Football Star Turned Sports Announcer, Dies at 72
After an acclaimed NFL career as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, he went on to become a fixture on Monday Night Football along with Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. He also worked as an actor in such television series as Police Story.
Don Meredith, a star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys who became a successful broadcaster after his football career ended, died December 5, 2010, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 72.
According to news reports, Meredith died from complications associated with a brain hemorrhage.
An iconic fixture in Texas sports, Meredith played in three Pro Bowls for the Cowboys and was the NFL’s Player of the Year in 1966, when he led the team to its first winning season and its first NFL championship game. He was inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 1977.
In his nine-year career, which spanned from 1960 to 1968, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 135 touchdowns.
Shortly before the 1968 season, he unexpectedly retired at age 31. Two years later, he joined Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football.
With his easygoing nature and folksy sayings, Meredith, who acquired the nickname “Dandy Don,” became an audience favorite.
His signature call was singing the famous Willie Nelson song “Turn Out the Lights” a game’s outcome appeared to have been determined.
He left ABC after the 1973 season and spent three years at NBC. He returned to the Monday Night Football in 1977 and retired in 1984, one year after Cosell left the crew.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Meredith appeared in several television shows and feature films. He had a recurring role in the NBC drama Police Story and was a spokesman for Lipton tea.
Before his career with the Cowboys, Meredith was a three-year at quarterback for SMU. He was an All-America selection in 1958 and 1959.
Meredith was born and raised in Mount Vernon, Texas, about 100 miles east of Dallas. He never played a home game outside of North Texas.
Survivors include his wife, Susan.