84R5469 WG-D
By: Johnson H.R. No. 131
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a renowned Texas athlete drew to a close
with the passing of former Dallas Cowboy Jethro Pugh on January 7,
2015, at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 3, 1944, in Windsor, North Carolina,
Jethro Pugh attended Bertie High School and subsequently enrolled
at Elizabeth City State University at the age of 16; he
distinguished himself as a talented player on both offense and
defense for ECSU, earning all-conference honors in 1963 and 1964
for his play as a defensive end; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pugh was selected by Dallas in the 11th round of
the 1965 National Football League Draft; one of the original
members of the team's vaunted "Doomsday Defense," he anchored the
line from his spot at tackle and played a central role in the
Cowboys' rise to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s;
during his third season, he took part in the legendary 1967 "Ice
Bowl" game, when Dallas was narrowly defeated by the Green Bay
Packers for the NFL Championship; the determined efforts of
Mr. Pugh and his teammates would not be denied, however, and the
club would go on to collect five NFC Championships and two Super
Bowl titles in the course of his 14-year career; he led Dallas in
sacks for five consecutive seasons from 1968 to 1972, and his 95.5
career sacks rank sixth all-time in team history; he retired
following the 1978-1979 NFL season, having played in a then-record
23 playoff games; and
WHEREAS, After his playing days ended, Mr. Pugh found success
as an entrepreneur by opening a gift shop in the Dallas-Fort Worth
International Airport, an enterprise that later grew into a chain
of stores; he also found time to give back to others as the founder
and namesake of the Jethro Pugh Celebrity Golf Tournament, an
annual event in the Dallas area that raises funds for the United
Negro College Fund; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pugh's accomplishments were recognized with a
number of significant accolades, including selection as an NFL
All-Pro player and induction into the CIAA Hall of Fame, the North
Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the ECSU Sports Hall of Fame, and the
National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, A superb athlete, a fierce competitor, and a
respected businessman, Jethro Pugh excelled on and off the
gridiron, and he will be fondly remembered by his family and friends
as well as by countless football fans in the Lone Star State and
beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jethro Pugh and extend
sincere sympathy to the members of his family; 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jethro
Pugh.