NFL, 'Monday Night Football' Legend 'Dandy Don' Meredith Dies

Submitted by Matt Murai on December 6, 2010

SANTA FE, N.M. — NFL legend Don Meredith, who starred for the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a fan favorite on ABC's Monday Night Football broadcasts, has died. He was 72.

Meredith passed away Sunday in Santa Fe, N.M. after suffering a brain hemorrhage, his wife told the Associated Press.

"He was the best there was," she said. "We lost a good one."

Meredith, who was was affectionately known as "Dandy Don," played nine seasons for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s. He became the team's starting quarterback in 1965, leading the Cowboys to the NFL championship games in 1966 and 1967, where they lost both times to the Green Bay Packers. He unexpectedly left the game in 1969.

Two years after he retired, Meredith became one of the first athletes to transition into broadcasting when he joined Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell as part of the original Monday Night Football team. His Southern charm won over viewers and he became famous for his signature call, in which he sang the Willie Nelson line "Turn out the lights, the party's over" when a team's lead seemed insurmountable.

Meredith, who played college ball at SMU, served two stints on Monday Night Football, from 1970-73 and 1977-84.
Photo credit: ABC