Dallas Cowboys announce passing of Ring of Honor member Don Perkins

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Don Perkins passed away at the age of 84, the team announced on Thursday night. Perkins, one of the first former players inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, played eight seasons in the NFL – all of them with Dallas.

A standout at New Mexico, the running back initially went to the Baltimore Colts in the 1960 NFL Draft, despite signing a contract with Dallas prior to the draft. The Colts let him stick to his contract and the rest was history. From 1961 to 1968, he made six Pro Bowls.

Alongside quarterbacking legend Don Meredith, Perkins rushed for 6,217 yards, which ranks fourth in franchise history. His 42 rushing touchdowns also rank fourth in club history. He received his Ring of Honor induction in 1976 with Meredith. Bob Lilly was the first-ever player inducted in the Ring of Honor in 1975.

At New Mexico, he was an All-American in 1959 and had his No. 43 retired by the school.

“I am just proud to have known him and him being a great Lobo. It’s really cool that he played and was a great player here and then got to become a well-known great player in the NFL,” current New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales said, according to KRQE in Albuquerque. “I am proud of that, and I am constantly reminding our guys of the great ones that have come through here.”

Dallas Cowboys community loses another

The Dallas Cowboys have dealt with a lot of death so far in 2022, including the most recent death of Marion Barber at 38.

“Unfortunately, Perkins’ death is yet another blow to the Cowboys’ family,” the team’s announcement reads. “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.”