Former Cowboys Quarterback Don Meredith Dies of Brain Hemorrhage

[txradioguy]

Breaking on Fox

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Don Meredith, one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys and an original member of ABC's "Monday Night Football" broadcast team, died Sunday. He was 72.

Meredith's wife, Susan, told The Associated Press on Monday her husband died in Santa Fe after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma. She says a private graveside ceremony is being planned and that family members were traveling to Santa Fe.

"He was the best there was," she said, describing him as kind, warm and funny. "We lost a good one."

Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1968, becoming the starting quarterback in 1965. While he never led the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, Meredith was one of the franchise's first stars.

Over his nine-year career, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 111 touchdowns. He retired unexpectedly before the 1969 season.

Just two years after retiring from football, Meredith joined Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as part of the "Monday Night Football" crew.

He quickly became one of the most popular broadcasters in sports because of his folksy sayings and country humor.

Meredith's signature call was singing the famous Willie Nelson song "Turn Out the Lights" when it appeared a game's outcome had been determined.

Meredith left ABC after the 1973 season for a three-year stint at NBC. He returned to the "MNF" crew in 1977 before retiring in 1984, one year after Cosell left the team.


http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/12/06/cowboys-quarterback-don-meredith-dies-brain-hemorrhage/

[IassaFTots]

Oh how said.  RIP Dandy Dan.   

[NHSparky]

One of the good guys.  Hated the Cowboys, loved Don.

[cavegal]

R.I.P.

[Tucker]

One if the characters that made MNF a smash hit.  How ward co sell was another one.

It's a shame. I liked him. The parties over. RIP.

[5412]

One if the characters that made MNF a smash hit.  How ward co sell was another one.

It's a shame. I liked him. The parties over. RIP.

Hi,

I too really enjoyed Don Meredith.  Let me give you two stories about him that I found hilarious.

Doing a Monday night game in Atlanta and the cameras pan the skyline.....  Meredith adds, "Atlanta is a beautiful city, too bad it is surrounded by Georgia".

During his QB days with Dallas he had two of the fastest men in the world, Mel Renfro and Bob Hayes as wide receivers.  Hayes was also an olympic sprinter.  Meredith came up to the line of scrimmage and looked at the defense and screamed his audible, "N*****s, go long!" at the top of his lungs.  Indeed they did and he threw a touchdown pass as both receivers passed up their defenders doubled over with laughter.

I believe the latter situation was written into the book "Semi Tough"......  I heard one of the players confirm the fact it was true on a talk show many years ago.

May he RIP and his sense of humor live forever.

Regards,
5412

[zeitgeist]

One of the good guys.  Hated the Cowboys, loved Don.

You got that right he was a great guy. And just last night I was rootin for the Ka'boys (over the Colts just to keep this in perspective).  But a brain hemorrhage?  Why do I sense an upcoming round of here we go again.......I swear they should have drawn the line at allowing female cheerleaders.   

[ColonialMarine0431]

RIP Dandy Don.

Heaven drafted one of our star quarterbacks and commentators. I think he'll make the first string.

[Airwolf]

I am betting he's got his cletes on and taking reps as we all post. He was one of the best and always fun to watch. RIP Dandy Don and throw long.

[Ptarmigan]

He was a guest voice on King of the Hill.

[Chris_]

Was that before or after Phil Hendrie?

[Ptarmigan]

Was that before or after Phil Hendrie?

It was the episode where they went to New Orleans and Bill visited his family.

[Chris_]

Hmm.  That was definitely an odd episode.  Which character was he?

[Ptarmigan]

Hmm.  That was definitely an odd episode.  Which character was he?

Don Meredith did a voice of himself.

A Beer Can Name Desire
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0620189/

It is from 1999.

[PatriotGame]

Sad, sad, sad news!
Great man, great athlete, great American leader.

Lipton ice tea will never be the same. (sorry - had to say it...)

R.I.P. Dandy Don - I used to love Monday night football with you and Howard Cosell.

[debk]

To me, Dan Meredith, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford were Monday Night Football.

It was because of them, that I started watching MNF in college and continued to, as long as they were on the show. Not that I know a lot about football now, but I knew nothing back then, except it was a fun thing to go to in the fall on a Friday night and hope to meet boys. The game itself? Pffft...

Never knew what they were going to say next...which is how they kept my interest.  From them, I learned the game, and to like watching it on tv.

Now, only Frank is left. This has to be really hard for him. 

Wonder if Dandy Don will be playing or doing the commentary for Heaven's football teams?