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