H.C.R. No. 28
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The life of a Texas football icon and American
sportscasting legend drew to a close with the passing of Don
Meredith on December 5, 2010, at the age of 72; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Donald Meredith was born in Mount Vernon on
April 10, 1938, to Jeff and Hazel Meredith; while a student at Mount
Vernon High School, he was an all-state football and basketball
player and president of his senior class; he went on to attend
Southern Methodist University and was the Mustangs' starting
quarterback from 1957 to 1959, gaining a national reputation for
his outstanding performances; one highlight was the 1958 Battle for
the Iron Skillet, in which he threw two touchdown passes and ran for
another to lead SMU to a 20-13 victory over archrival Texas
Christian University; in recognition of his accomplishments, he was
named an All-American by the Football Writers Association of
America in both 1958 and 1959; and
WHEREAS, This skilled competitor was the first player signed
to the newly created Dallas Cowboys expansion team that joined the
National Football League in 1960; he would spend his entire
nine-year NFL career with the Cowboys and had the rare distinction
of having never played a home game outside of North Texas as a high
school, college, and professional athlete; he took over as the
team's starting quarterback in 1963 and helped lead Dallas to its
early successes, including appearances in the NFL title game in
both 1966 and 1967; he was named the Bert Bell NFL Player of the Year
for 1966 and made the Pro Bowl three times; and
WHEREAS, Retiring as a player at the end of the 1968 season,
Mr. Meredith soon entered broadcasting as a member of the initial
Monday Night Football announcing crew, debuting in 1970; his sense
of humor, knowledge of the game, and relaxed attitude made him the
perfect counterpoint for his co-hosts, the overly articulate Howard
Cosell and the all-business former New York Giant Frank Gifford;
the adversarial chemistry he developed with Mr. Cosell was
especially popular, and Monday Night Football quickly became one of
the highest rated shows on television, making "Dandy Don" Meredith
into a celebrity who transcended sports; and
WHEREAS, He left the show in 1974 to join NBC, and during the
next few years he branched out into acting and hosting talk shows in
addition to covering football; he returned to the Monday Night
Football booth in 1977, staying until his retirement in 1985;
through the years, he put his stamp on each game by serenading
viewers with Willie Nelson's lyrics "turn out the lights, the
party's over" whenever the outcome of a contest was no longer in
doubt; and
WHEREAS, There were many honors along the way for this
charming and affable Texan; SMU gave him the university's
Distinguished Alumni Award in 1983 and retired his No. 17 jersey in
2008; he was elected to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the
College Football Hall of Fame, and the Cowboys added him to their
prestigious Ring of Honor; his broadcast career also earned him
accolades, including an Emmy Award for broadcasting excellence in
1971 and the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro
Football Hall of Fame in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Although his death has brought great sorrow to his
loved ones and his numerous fans, Don Meredith leaves behind a
legacy of excellence and good humor that will be treasured long into
the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of Joseph Donald Meredith and extend
sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Susan;
to his children, Mary Donna, Michael, and Heather; to his brother,
Jack; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Don Meredith.
Branch
Cain
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 28 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 3, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 28 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on March 15, 2011.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor