Getty Images.

Dallas Cowboys Saddened By Former Player's Death At 86

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 12:44 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys are mourning the loss of one of their very own this week after announcing the passing of a pivotal member of their 1960s teams.

On Monday, the team issued a statement on the death of 12-year NFL tight end Pettis Norman; who on top of being a staple in Tom Landry's lineup was also a respected civil rights activist and advocate for integration in sports.

"We mourn the passing of former tight end and civil rights advocate Pettis Norman," the Cowboys wrote on X with a link to a video about his life. "Known for his selfless leadership, commitment to community, and dedication to creating equal opportunity, we were incredibly proud and grateful to share his remarkable story recently."

We mourn the passing of former tight end and civil rights advocate Pettis Norman. Known for his selfless leadership, commitment to community, and dedication to creating equal opportunity, we were incredibly proud and grateful to share his remarkable story recently. For more on… pic.twitter.com/brks4HoLq5
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 8, 2025

On top of his feats as a player, which included helping the Cowboys reach their first ever Super Bowl and posting a 13.6 YPC average for his career, Norman continued to make an impact on the Dallas community well after his playing days.

Not only did he enjoy success as a businessman and broadcaster but he also served as the first Black official at a Dallas bank and later founded the Dallas Together Forum to help local minority companies secure work with some of the area's most powerful CEOs.

Despite being traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1971, Norman always made sure to give back to the community he called home for his first nine professional seasons.

"I tried to do whatever I could do help change the kinds of things that society had operated under for such a long time," Norman said, via CBS Sports.

Norman was 86 at the time of his death, but his work and achievements will live on far beyond his time on Earth. We send our thoughts to his family and friends and hope he rests peacefully knowing the impact he made on the many lives he came across.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: