For those of you who have no idea who he was, Don Meredith was the Dallas Cowboy's quarterback in the 60's. He was quarterbacking during the 1966 NFL championship game in Dallas, and the 1967 "Ice Bowl" in Green Bay. Don Meredith played his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys, 1960 - 1968."Dandy Don," while never leading the Cowboys to a Super Bowl, was always exceptionally popular with Cowboys fans who remember him for his grit and toughness, his outgoing nature, and his leadership during the first winning seasons for the Cowboys.
During his career, he had a 50.7 percent completion rate, throwing for 17,199 yards and 135 touchdowns with a lifetime passer rating of 74.8. He was named the NFL Player of the Year in 1966 and was named to the Pro Bowl three times. He is also a member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
Following his football career, Meredith became a color commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football beginning in 1970. He left for three seasons to work at NBC, then returned to Monday Night Football with partners Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell.
His approach to color commentary was light-hearted and folksy, in contrast to Cosell's detailed and intellectual analysis and Gifford's play-by-play technique. He was known for singing "Turn out the lights, the party's over" at the time the game was apparently decided.
Blog author's comments - I was lucky to watch his great play on the field, but also remember him well as part of the original cast of "Monday Night Football" when it premiered in 1970.
He was entertaining, a great competitor, and I wish him rest. Don, you were special. Monday Night Football has never been the same without you.
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