Don Perkins obit

Ring of Honor Member Don Perkins Passes Away

 

He was not on the list.

Don Perkins, arguably the first great running back in Cowboys history, has passed away at the age of 84.

Perkins played eight seasons – all with the Cowboys – from 1961 to 1968. He rushed for 6,217 yards, which still ranks fourth in franchise history. His 42 rushing touchdowns also rank fourth in club history.

Perkins was inducted into the Cowboys' Ring of Honor in 1976, along with his quarterback – Don Meredith.

Perkins was initially drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1960 although he had signed a contract with the Cowboys before the draft. Eventually, the NFL allowed Perkins to play for the Cowboys, as long as they gave the Colts a ninth-round pick in exchange.

It turned out to be a great move for the Cowboys, picking up a dynamic offensive player.

Unfortunately, Perkins' death is yet another blow to the Cowboys' family. He's the second Ring of Honor member to pass away recently, along with Rayfield Wright. Back in January, the Cowboys lost former players Dan Reeves and Ralph Neely. Marion Barber passed away last week and the Cowboys have lost former running backs coach Gary Brown, as well as former scouting director Larry Lacewell. Jerry Jones' personal assistant Marylyn Love died this past spring.

Perkins sat out the entire 1960 season with a broken foot (fifth metatarsal) he suffered in training camp, so he began playing with the Cowboys in 1961 as a rookie. He lacked long-distance speed, but made up for it with outstanding quickness and balance. He finished with 815 rushing yards (sixth among league leaders) and 4 touchdowns, earning NFL rookie of the year and Pro Bowl honors.

Not only was he considered a superb blocker, he also finished in the NFL's top 10 rushing in each of his eight seasons in the league. On September 24, 1961, he became the first running back in Cowboys' history to run for 100 yards in a game, when he rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries against the expansion Minnesota Vikings.

Perkins's best year was in 1962, when he rushed for 945 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the first Cowboy to make the All-Pro team. He was coming off his two best all-around seasons when he decided to retire prior to the 1969 season.

Even though he played the fullback position at 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 204 pounds (93 kg), his ten career 100-yard games ranks fourth in club history, he led the Dallas Cowboys in rushing in six of his eight seasons, also led them in touchdowns in four of his eight seasons. He ranks fourth on the Cowboys' all-time rushing yards list (behind Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett, and Ezekiel Elliott), and fifth on the rushing touchdowns list, behind Smith, Dorsett, Marion Barber III, and Elliott. He was selected to six Pro Bowls and to one All-Pro team, while gaining a reputation in the NFL for his courage and resolve on some of worst teams in Dallas Cowboys history. In 1968, he helped end the Cowboys practice of segregating players when traveling to hotels.

Probably the only thing he couldn't do was complete Tom Landry's annual "mile run" in camp. Landry once told NFL Films: "Perkins was in the toughest times", "The guy was a remarkable runner, a great pass blocker and one of the best players in our history." Walt Garrison replaced him in the starting lineup, and once said, "Don Perkins was the best fullback the Dallas Cowboys ever had".

Perkins retired at the end of 1968 having led all active players in rushing yards since the retirement of Jim Taylor, and was fifth in NFL history with 6,217. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium alongside his quarterback Don Meredith in 1976. Only Bob Lilly was inducted ahead of them, in 1975.

In 2006, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

The Professional Football Researchers Association named Perkins to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2016.

Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, Perkins earned eight letters for Waterloo West High School, four each in football and track (sprinter). He also played basketball. Perkins captained the track team by the time he was a junior.

In 1955, his football team went undefeated and Perkins made the first All-state team as a halfback, while playing both offense and defense. He was president of the student body during his senior year.

Perkins played college football for the University of New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque, where he played halfback and defensive back as a two-way player. He was a three-time All-Skyline selection and the Skyline Sophomore of the Year. In 1958, he led the nation in kickoff returns. In 1959 he received third-team All-American honors.

The head coach at New Mexico was future Hall of Famer Marv Levy, who has stated in several occasions that Perkins was one of the greatest players he ever coached. He also mentioned him in his Hall of Fame induction speech in Canton, Ohio.

Perkins set 12 records as a three-year halfback starter. The school retired his number (43) when he completed his career – a first in UNM history. He ranks 14th in the Lobos' career rushing list with 2,001 yards.

He was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame and the University of New Mexico Hall of Honor.

Perkins was a football analyst for CBS Sports, ABC Sports, and other television and radio networks.