Dallas Cowboys legend D.D. Lewis, a standout linebacker who led the team to two Super Bowl championships in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 79.
The sad news was shared by the Mississippi State X/Twitter account and Kurt Daniels of the Dallas Cowboys’ official team website. D.D. Lewis was a standout for the Bulldogs before turning pro with the Cowboys in 1968.
A sixth-round pick (159th overall), Lewis emerged as a key contributor on a Cowboys team that took the NFL by storm in the ’70s. Part of the legendary “Doomsday” Defense, Lewis helped Dallas to five Super Bowl appearances and championship triumphs in the 1971 and ’77 seasons.
As Kurt Daniels noted, Dallas never had a losing season during D.D. Lewis’ 13 NFL seasons, and his 27 playoff game appearances are the most in franchise history.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lewis’ family and friends during this difficult time.
D.D. Lewis Helped Put The Cowboys On The Football Map
The ’70s Cowboys were loaded with star power and future Hall of Famers, including quarterback Roger Staubach, running back Tony Dorsett, wide receivers Bob Hayes and Drew Pearson, defensive tackle Bob Lilly, cornerback Mel Renfro and offensive tackle Rayfield Wright.
Along with legendary head coach Tom Landry, these big-name players made the Cowboys a cultural phenomenon and must-watch television, hence the legendary “America’s Team” moniker. Fast forward five decades, and the Cowboys are the world’s most valuable sports franchise, currently valued at $13 billion.
If not for their reign of terror in the NFC and those two Super Bowl championships in the ’70s, just as football on national television started booming, the Cowboys wouldn’t be the historic and iconic franchise we know today. Jones and his fanbase have to thank the likes of former Cowboy greats like D.D. Lewis.
