Gil Brandt, former Cowboys Hall of Fame executive, dead at 91

The Dallas Cowboys and team owner Jerry Jones announced on Thursday the passing of former Hall of Fame executive Gil Brandt at the age of 91.

Brandt served as the Cowboys’ vice president of player personnel for the first 29 years of the franchise’s existence.

He oversaw the acquisition of 15 of the 19 players who are currently in the Ring of Honor before joining it himself in 2018. Of those 15 players, nine ended up also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Super Bowl champion QB Roger Staubach. Fifty-three players that he brought into the Cowboys organization combined for a total of 178 Pro Bowl appearances.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Brandt first broke into scouting working part-time for the Los Angeles Rams. In 1958, Brandt got his first full-time opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers. He then moved to Dallas in 1960 to take a job as the team’s chief talent scout.

Jones pays tribute to Brandt

“We are so deeply saddened by the passing of Gil Brandt – a true icon and pioneer of our sport,” Jones wrote, via the team website. “Gil was at the very core of the early success of the Dallas Cowboys and continued to serve as a great ambassador for the organization for decades beyond that. His contributions cemented his spot in the Ring of Honor. He was my friend and a mentor not only to me, but to countless executives, coaches, players and broadcasters across the National Football League, which rightfully earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame where his legacy will be celebrated forever.

“He was an innovator and set the standard for excellence in player acquisition. From the creation of the NFL Combine to revolutionizing the NFL Draft, Gil finished his over six-decade NFL career with an eye towards the future of the league and teaching fans about the sport he loved as a radio broadcaster. Gil was as good a storyteller as it gets, with a memory as sharp as a tack. His dedication to, and passion for, this game left a lasting impact on generations of Hall of Fame players and coaches. There are very few people that have been able to have the kind of generational impact that he did. Gil was as dedicated to growing this league and sport as anyone ever was, and we are all grateful and better for it.

“Our hearts go out to Gil’s wife, Sara, his son Hunter and all of Gil’s family and friends.”