Dan Reeves obit

Dan Reeves, former NFL coach and player, has died

 

He was not on the list.

Dan Reeves, the former National Football League head coach and Dallas Cowboys running back, has died, according to NFL.com. He was 77.

Reeves died early Saturday at his home in Atlanta "due to complications from a long illness," according to a family statement to NFL Network's Mike Garafalo.

Reeves died "peacefully and surrounded by his loving family," the statement said, adding, "His legacy will continue through his many friends, players and fans as well as the rest of the NFL community."

Reeves compiled an overall 201-174-2 record over 23 seasons as a head coach for the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons between 1981 and 2003.

"We're saddened by the passing of Ring of Fame Head Coach Dan Reeves, who led us to three Super Bowl appearances" in 1987, 1988 and 1990. "We send our sincerest condolences to his family."

Reeves won the Coach of the Year award in 1993 and 1998. He took the Falcons to their first Super Bowl in 1999. His teams lost all four games.

In his own statement, Atlanta Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank said Reeves "leaves a lasting legacy in our game as a player and coach."

"His track record of success in Dallas, Denver, New York and Atlanta over several decades speaks for itself, marking a long and successful life and career in football," Blank said. "On behalf of the Atlanta Falcons I extend our condolences to Dan's family and friends as they mourn his passing."

Reeves was born in Rome, Georgia, about 70 miles northwest of Atlanta. He played football, basketball and baseball in high school. Reeves played football and baseball at the University of South Carolina, where he was later inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.

Before his coaching career, Reeves played eight seasons for the Cowboys, making it to two Super Bowls and winning Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins during the 1971 season. He rushed for 1,990 yards with 25 rushing touchdowns and had 1,693 receiving yards with 17 touchdowns in 100 games.

Reeves became an assistant coach for the Cowboys once his playing days were over, appearing in three additional Super Bowls and winning Super Bowl XII against the Broncos.

“Dan Reeves had a legendary NFL career as both a player and a coach. He made an incredible mark on the League and all of the people who played with, coached and worked alongside. He was one of the finest men I have ever been around in this business. Our deepest condolences to Pam and the entire Reeves family,” Giants co-owner John Mara said in a statement.

“He was a great coach, great man,” said former running back Rodney Hampton. “He’s going to be truly missed. My prayers go out to Mrs. (Pam) Reeves and all his family. I’m sure he has a lot going his way because he touched a lot of people. He was a teacher, too. He taught us how to be men. When I first got there, we used to always stay at hotels (the night before home games). He told us, ‘You’re grown men, you should know what to do to take care of yourself.’ So when he got there, we stayed at our own place, our own house.”

“Dan Reeves was a remarkable man and coach. I will never forget his southern drawl the first time he called my name when he drafted me in 1993. I knew how great of a coach he was from his years with the Denver Broncos, and I remember how excited I was because I also knew he’d help guide my career,” Michael Strahan said in a statement.

Denver Broncos president of football operations John Elway released the following statement on his Twitter page:

    The football world lost a heckuva coach and man today in Dan Reeves.

    Dan was a winner. I owe a lot to him — he was instrumental in my career and growth as a quarterback. We were able to win a lot of football games together, going to three Super Bowls and competing every single year at a high level.

    With Dan, you knew you were going to be in every game. You always had a chance with him on your sideline. As the head coach, Dan was tough but fair. I respected him for that. We may not have always seen eye to eye, but the bottom line is we won a lot of games together. Looking back, what I appreciate about Dan is how he gradually brought me along to help me reach my potential.

Reeves’ nine Super Bowl appearances are the third-most in NFL history, trailing only Bill Belichick (12) and Tom Brady (10). The late coach will be honored by the Broncos during their season finale on Saturday.

Reeves closed out his coaching career with his seven seasons in Atlanta -- he was fired after Week 14 of the 2003 season. The Falcons' star quarterback, Michael Vick, missed 20 games with injuries over Reeves' last three seasons. It was Reeves who brokered the deal to bring Vick to the Falcons.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank also extended his condolences to the Reeves family.

"Dan Reeves leaves a lasting legacy in our game as a player and coach. His track record of success in Dallas, Denver, New York and Atlanta over several decades speaks for itself, marking a long and successful life and career in football," Blank said in a statement. "On behalf of the Atlanta Falcons I extend our condolences to Dan's family and friends as they mourn his passing."

Current Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan shared some of his memories of Reeves.

"Sad to hear about the passing of Dan Reeves. Amazing career in professional football," Ryan tweeted. "So glad to have gotten to know him here in Atlanta and so grateful for how nice he always was to my boys when we would see him on Saturday mornings getting bagels. RIP."

When Reeves was replaced by the Falcons, only Don Shula, George Halas, Landry, Curly Lambeau and Chuck Noll had won more games as a head coach.

In Reeves' Broncos tenure, the team had a losing record just twice, with one of those being the strike-shortened 1982 season. He was eventually fired by Pat Bowlen and had clashed at times with Elway late in his tenure with the team.

Reeves had fired Mike Shanahan, the offensive coordinator at the time, after the 1991 season, and Bowlen fired Reeves after the 1992 season. Shanahan's Broncos defeated Reeves' Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII to close out the 1998 season.