Cowboys Star Don Meredith Dead at 72

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 yesterday in Santa Fe after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma. He was 72. 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. "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. Over his nine-year career, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 111 touchdowns. While in the broadcast booth as part of the Monday Night Football crew, his signature call was singing Willie Nelson's "Turn Out the Lights" when it appeared a game's outcome had been determined. (More football stories.)