Dallas Cowboys ring of honor running back Don Perkins died at age 84, according to a team announcement on Thursday night.
Initially drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1960, he was also a first-round pick of the New York Titans of the AFL that same year, a team that is now known as the New York Jets. Perkins instead joined the Cowboys in the franchise’s second season of existence.
He sat out the entire year due to a broken foot but returned the following season as a rookie in 1961. Perkins would go on to play eight NFL seasons, all with the Cowboys. He became the first Dallas Cowboy to rush for 100 yards in a game when he rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries against the Minnesota Vikings. He never finished a season with a per-rush average lower than 3.9 yards.
According to the Dallas Cowboys website, Perkins was a six-time Pro-Bowl selection, and in 1961 was named the NFL Rookie of the Year, following that up with All-Pro honors in 1962.
Perkins finished his career with 1,500 carries for 6,217 rushing yards which ranks him fourth all-time, and 42 touchdowns put him fifth only behind Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett, Ezekiel Elliott, and Marion Barber III. Perkins added another 1,310 receiving yards and three scores on 146 receptions.
Perkins was induction into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1976. The news of Perkins’ death comes just days after the organization learned about the passing of Barber.
What a sad year it’s been for the Cowboys and running backs. Since Jan 1, we’ve seen Dan Reeves, Gary Brown, Marion Barber and now Don Perkins all pass away. RIP to RBs!
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) June 10, 2022
Perkins first made a name for himself at the University of New Mexico. A news release from the university said his 3,466 all-purpose yards in his career was a Lobo record for 13 years, and he still holds the career kickoff return average record of 30.7 yards per return. His school-record 34.7-yard average in 1959 led the nation.
Perkins was also a football analyst for CBS Sports, ABC Sports, and other television and radio networks.
