Cowboys Legend Gil Brandt Has Passed Away (Jerry Jones Provides Touching Tribute)
The NFL world is in mourning today after receiving the news that Gil Brandt has passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday morning.
Brandt is an absolute legend of the game, having made an impact on the NFL for over 50 years. Younger NFL fans might think of Brandt as an NFL.com personality, but Cowboys fans will never forget his incredible tenure in the team's front office from 1960 through 1988.
It's hard to put into words what Brandt means to the game of football, and the Cowboys organization in general, but Jerry Jones did a good job capturing it with some touching words:
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the passing of Gil Brandt:
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 31, 2023
“We are so deeply saddened by the passing of Gil Brandt – a true icon and pioneer of our sport. Gil was at the very core of the early success of the Dallas Cowboys and continued to serve as a great ambassador for the…
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two Super Bowl rings, Brandt was a pioneer in scouting and player personnel methods, even helping create the NFL Scouting Combine.
Highlights of Brandt's time in Dallas include:
- Drafting nine eventual Hall-of-Famers, incluing Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman
- Being one of the first to bring international talent to the NFL, including Super Bowl winning kicker Toni Fritsch
- Transforming the Cowboys from a zero-win team in their inagural 1960 season to having 20 winning seasons during 29 years with the club
- Appearing in five Super Bowls
- Winning two Super Bowls
- Being named to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2015
- Being named to the Cowboys Ring of Honour in 2018
- Being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019
Of course, reverberations of the news go well beyond the Cowboys universe, as the entire NFL community pays its honors to the legendary Brandt.
The NFL lost an absolute legend in Gil Brandt! One of the all time greats!!!🙏🏻
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) August 31, 2023
We mourn the passing of our friend and colleague Gil Brandt. pic.twitter.com/dNB02EkCXE
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) August 31, 2023
Gil's was an extraordinary football life, full of innovation and impact. He had an amazing memory for the history of the game, and never failed to be generous with his time and insights. Condolences to Sara and his entire family. I'll miss you, Gil. https://t.co/E8h3NfJyWP
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) August 31, 2023
Tributes to Brandt will no doubt continue to pour in over the next few days, highlighting just how far-reaching his impact on the game of football was.
Brandt will be greatly missed, and the entire Sport DFW team send our condolences to all of his family, friends, and people whose lives he touched.