Born: September 11, 1924
Died: February 12, 2000

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February 12, 2000 11:20 pm EST - DALLAS (Reuters)

Legendary former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, who ruled the team from its creation for 29 years, died on Saturday at the age of 75 after battling leukemia for nine months, a spokeswoman at Baylor University Medical Center said. Landry entered Baylor last May for a month-long treatment of an acute case of leukemia that impairs the production of blood cells. He was twice released but returned to the hospital last month. Landry, with the third most victories in NFL history, led the Cowboys to 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966 to 1985. He ended his career with a 270-178-3 record, including playoffs. His teams won Super Bowls VI and XII. Landry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Praise poured in immediately for the coach whose figure, pacing the sidelines with his trademark stoic face, business suit and dapper short-brimmed hat, was familiar to fans and players for nearly three decades from 1960 to 1989. "To be able to play for Coach Landry for 11 years was the height of my athletic career," said former star quarterback Roger Staubach. Baylor issued a statement from Landry's family, who were at his side when he passed away, saying, "He will never be forgotten by all of us whose lives he has touched so deeply." Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who fired Landry after taking over in 1989, said Landry's legacy would live on. "I think like everybody does that I know what his will was and his spirit was and I think that will prevail," Jones said. Landry made his mark with innovations in offense and defense and left a trail of coaches who trained under him before big careers of their own in the NFL, including Super Bowl winner Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears. Landry, born in Texas's Rio Grande Valley in 1924, turned to professional football after a stint in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and after graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in business. He starred on the field as a defensive back for the New York Giants in 1950, but within four years turned in his player's uniform for a suit and tie to become an assistant coach. Landry joined the Cowboys in 1959 before the franchise even existed. It wasn't until January 1960 that the team became part of the NFL and that year proved to be winless for Landry. But that weak beginning was soon eclipsed. His career ended with 270 wins, placing him behind only George Halas and Don Shula on the NFL's all-time coaching list. He was fired in 1989 after team owner Jones bought the Cowboys and made Jimmy Johnson coach. Landry went on the speaking circuit, appearing on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, evangelist Billy Graham and a foundation named after his 37-year-old daughter, Lisa Landry Childress, who died in 1995 of cancer. Landry is survived by his wife, Alicia, son Tom Landry Jr. and daughter Kitty Phillips.

All-Pro DB for NY Giants (1954)
Coached Dallas for 29 years (1960-88)
Won 2 Super Bowls (1972 & 1978)
3rd on NFL all-time list with 270 wins

July 1999

Joining the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, Tom Landry was soon recognized as an innovator. He introduced the flex defense and the multiple offense in the 1960's and revised and restructured the shotgun offense in the 1970's. During Tom Landry's 29 years as head coach of America's Team, which ties Curly Lambeau's NFL record of coaching the same team for the longest consecutive number of years, the Cowboys posted 20 consecutive winning seasons, 18 playoff appearances, 13 division championships and five NFC titles for a record five Super Bowl appearances. The Cowboys won Super Bowls VI and XII. In 1990, Coach Tom Landry received the highest honor awarded to a member of his profession when he became an inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio. In 1993, Coach Landry was also inducted into the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium. Tom Landry is a respected leader. He earned a degree in business at the University of Texas and one in industrial engineering from the University of Houston. Tom Landry holds numerous honorary degrees and honors and devotes much of his spare time to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

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