Don Meredith Dies

Don Meredith, Cowboys hero and MNF legend,  otherwise known as "Dandy Don" has died on Sunday . He was 72.

He suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and slipped into a coma, from which he never recovered. His wife and  daughter were at his side when he died.

Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1968, becoming the starting quarterback in 1965.

The former quarterback was the first true star of America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys, and then became a full-fledged national star when he joined a fledgling Monday Night Football broadcast in 1970. While he never took the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, Meredith was one of the franchise's first stars. He led the Cowboys to three straight division titles and to consecutive NFL Championship games in 1966 and 1967, where they lost both games to eventual champion Green Bay. "Don Meredith was a Dallas Cowboys original. His wit, charm, and strength of personality were matched only by his wonderful leadership, toughness and athletic skill," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.

Over his nine-year career, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 111 touchdowns. He retired unexpectedly before the 1969 season and just two years later joined Keith Jackson and Cosell in the broadcast booth as part of the "Monday Night Football" crew.

"Don Meredith was one of the most colorful characters in NFL history. He was star on the field who became an even bigger star on television," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He brought joy to football fans, from his play in historic NFL games like the Ice Bowl to his great personality that helped launch the success of Monday Night Football."