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Monday, September 14, 2015
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Landry coordinator for the Giants, helping years as a championship coach, in the Giants make the NFL 1990, Landry was inducted into the Championship three times. Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1960, the new Dallas Cowboys hired Landry as their first head coach. The team struggled in the first years, but made a major breakthrough in 1966, winning ten games and appearing in the NFL Championship. The Cowboys Dr. Ken Bridges won their division for the next six For 29 seasons as head coach of straight seasons. coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry the Giants, helping the Giants was the image of professionalism make the NFL Championship and sportsmanship. His three times. determination and leadership made the Cowboys one of the The Cowboys reached their peak most famous and successful teams under Landry in the 1970s. In in the nation. 1972, they won Super Bowl VI, walloping the Miami Dolphins. Landry was born in 1924 in The team had a winning record Mission, Texas. Football was his each season of the decade and passion from a young age, leading only failed to make the playoffs in his team to a perfect record during 1974. Additionally, the team won his senior year in high school. He the NFC East division seven times attended the University of Texas during the decade. In 1978, as an engineering major while Landry led the Cowboys to their playing for the Longhorns. second championship, defeating the Denver Broncos in Super After his brother was killed during Bowl XII. World War II, Landry volunteered for service in the U. S. Army Air The 1980s were not as successful, Force. He flew 30 missions as a but the team went to the playoffs co-pilot on a B-17 bomber. five times and won the division Afterward, he finished his degree twice. However, in his last three at UT and then earned a masters seasons as coach, the Cowboys degree in industrial engineering finished with losing records for from the University of Houston. the season, the first since 1964. Team owner Bum Bright sold the From 1950 to 1955, he played team to Jerry Jones in 1989, and halfback for the New York Giants, Jones immediately fired Landry. making the All-Pro and Pro Bowl The move shocked Cowboys fans, team in 1954. In the 1954 season, who rallied to Landry’s defense, to he also became defensive no avail. Due to that support and
As famous as he became for his success as a coach, he was instantly recognizable for dressing up every game in a suit, tie, and fedora. His modesty, faith, and determination won throngs of admirers. For decades, he was an active member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, even teaching Sunday School on Cowboys home game days. As coach, he developed a reputation for efficiency, preparation, and training. He was the first to use specialty coaches for speed and weight training and for examining opponents for strength and weaknesses in upcoming Cowboys games. In 29 seasons as coach, the
Cowboys won their division thirteen times and went to the Super Bowl five times. With 250 wins, Landry ranks third on the NFL alltime list, behind Miami’s Don Shula and Chicago’s George Halas. He was twice named NFL coach of the Year. In 1993, when he was inducted into the Ring of Honor along with all the other team legends after leaving the Cowboys, an image of the hat was placed next to his name. In his last years, he suffered leukemia. Landry died in February 2000, revered by football fans across the world. Two Texas schools named their football stadiums in Landry’s honor as well as Tom Landry Elementary School in Irving. Dr. Bridges is a Texas native, writer, and history professor. He can be reached at drkenbridges@gmail.com.
