I was so saddened to hear of Don Meredith’s death today. He was the first football leader that I really appreciated working with, but I am still bitter because I am the reason he had to retire. A few years back at the the Tom Laundry reunion at Texas Stadium I remember going up to him about to shake his hand and I couldn’t help but cry when I looked down. He saw my grief as I said “Don, I am so sorry I missed that block” so which he graciously replied “What missed block?”. He was the kind of guy that would look to us for answers and plays in the huddle as we crowed around each other like children playing in the street.
He was one of the greatest, and will be forever missed. My condolences to family and friends of Don.
John
About John Niland
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Hi Mr. Niland,
This is my first time on your site, so I’ll be checking you out from time to time, being a fan of pro football and more so, the history of the game. I wish to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Don Meredith as well as to you, being a former teammate of ol’ fun loving #17. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see Don play (I was a year old, when Don played his last season) but I do remember vividly watching and listening on many Monday nights when Don became “The Dandy One” along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. The first NFL game I ever watched was on MNF in 1977, so in a way it was because of Don Meredith I’m an NFL lover, because of his fun-loving personality on the broadcasts, and Don represented something Cosell couldn’t complete with, intellectually-LOL! At least, Gifford played the game just as Don had, so you knew what they were talking about-football wise. Well, Mr. Niland, I wish you all the success with your new website, and you keep the gloried history of the Dallas Cowboys strong within yo, sir. Happy Holidays #76!
I just missed the Meredith era by one year, having moved to Dallas in 1969. But I remember, as if it were to yesterday, how the fans in town either loved him or outright hated him. I still remember the1970 Monday night loss to St. Louis, where the fans were screaming for him to come back. Of course, with the team losing to the Cardinals 38-0, who can blame them?
Can you imagine how popular a player he would have been had he played today? With his personality and talent, he might have been the most popular player in the league.
As it was, I feel blessed to have sneaked out of bed on those Monday nights when he Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell were on TV. But, like you – and many other locals – Dandy Don will always be a football star first and a broadcaster second. He will be missed.