Don Perkins
Encyclopedia
Donald Anthony Perkins (born March 4, 1938 in Waterloo, Iowa
) is a former American football
halfback
who spent eight seasons with the NFL
's Dallas Cowboys
.
, 4 each in football
and track (sprinter).
Perkins captained the track team by the time he was a junior, started in basketball
, played both offense and defense in football
.
He was president of the student body during his senior year.
In 1955 his team went undefeated and he made the first all-state team as a halfback
.
at the University of New Mexico
, where he played halfback
, and was also a kickoff returner. He was a three-time All-Skyline selection from 1957-1959, and the Skyline Sophomore of the year in 1957. In 1958, he led the nation in kickoff returns.
He was coached by NFL Hall of Famer Marv Levy
, who has stated in several occasions, that Perkins was one of the greatest players he ever coached. He even mentioned him in his NFL Hall of Fame induction speech.
Perkins set 12 records as a three-year halfback
starter. The school retired his number (43) when he completed his career - a first in the University of New Mexico
history.
He ranks 14th in the University of New Mexico
career rushing list with 2,001 yards.
He was inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame and the University of New Mexico
Hall of Honor.
for a $1,500 bonus and a $10,000 salary. This meant he would play for the Cowboys if and when they received an NFL franchise. But he was drafted
in the 1960 NFL Draft
by the Baltimore Colts
, before he was granted to an NFL franchise. Because of this issue, the Colts were compensated with a Cowboy's 9th round draft pick, in the 1961 NFL Draft
.
They did eventually, and although Baltimore drafted him, the Colts were given compensation -- Perkins doesn't recall what it was -- and Don went immediately to Dallas for the team's first year in 1960.
Well, almost. First, he was supposed to play in the annual College All-Star game in Chicago, but a broken foot in training camp not only wrecked those plans but forced him to miss the entire season.
He sat out the entire 1960 season with a broken foot (fifth metatarsal) he suffered in training camp.
Perkins began playing with the Cowboys in 1961
, rushing for 4.1 yards per carry, and was named NFL rookie of the year. He was a runner who lacked long-distance speed, but made up for it with outstanding quickness and deft agility. He also had great balance and could really cut.
He was considered a superb blocker. Perkins has said that he was a blocker first and a runner second, although he finished in the NFL’s top 10 rushing in each of his eight seasons in the league.
He became the first running back
in Cowboys' history to run for 100 yards in a game. It came against the expansion Minnesota Vikings
at the Cotton Bowl
on September 24 1961
, when he rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries.
Perkins' best year was in 1962
, when he rushed for 945 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the first Cowboy to make the All-NFL team.
He was coming off his two best all-around seasons when he decided to retire prior to the 1969
season. His career lasted eight years, all of them with the Dallas Cowboys
. At the time only four other NFL running back
s had rushed for more than his 6,217 yards.
Perkins is third on the Cowboys' all-time list behind Emmitt Smith
, Tony Dorsett
and was named to six Pro Bowl
teams. He gained a reputation in the NFL for his courage and his resolve on some of worst teams in Dallas Cowboys
history.
Perkins wore No. 43, and even though he played the fullback
position at 5-10 204-pounds, he led the Dallas Cowboys
in rushing, in six of his eight NFL seasons, which ranks third in club history, as does his 42 career rushing touchdowns.
His ten career, 100-yard games ranks fourth in club history. Perkins had four consecutive seasons leading the team in rushing touchdowns, tied for second place behind only Emmitt Smith
.
Probably the only thing he couldn't do was complete Tom Landry
’s annual “mile run” in camp.
Tom Landry
once told NFL Films
: "Perkins was in the toughest times,", "The guy was a remarkable runner, a great pass blocker and one of the best players in our history."
Don Perkins was inducted into the Ring of Honor
at Texas Stadium
alongside his quarterback
Don Meredith
in 1976. Only Bob Lilly
got inducted ahead of them, in 1975.
Walt Garrison
was the player that replaced him in the starting lineup. Garrison once said: "Don Perkins was the best fullback
the Dallas Cowboys ever had".
In 2006, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
.
, a football
analyst for CBS Sports
, ABC Sports, and other television and radio networks.
He was the director of the Work Incentive Program for the State of New Mexico
Department of Human Services from 1972 to 1985.
He served on both the Executive board of US West
and the Board of Trustees for University Hospital
from 1990 to 1993.
He is currently a member of the Northwest Mesa Branch of the NAACP.
A father of four children and grandfather of ten, he has been active in local theater, public speaking, broadcasting at the local and national level, and is presently retired from the city of Albuquerque
.
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
who spent eight seasons with the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
.
Early years
Native of Waterloo, Iowa, Perkins earned 8 letters for Waterloo West High SchoolWaterloo West High School
Waterloo West High School is a high school located at the intersection of E Ridgeway Ave. and Baltimore Ave. in Waterloo, Iowa.-Mascot:...
, 4 each in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and track (sprinter).
Perkins captained the track team by the time he was a junior, started in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, played both offense and defense in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
.
He was president of the student body during his senior year.
In 1955 his team went undefeated and he made the first all-state team as a halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
.
College career
Don Perkins played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, where he played halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
, and was also a kickoff returner. He was a three-time All-Skyline selection from 1957-1959, and the Skyline Sophomore of the year in 1957. In 1958, he led the nation in kickoff returns.
He was coached by NFL Hall of Famer Marv Levy
Marv Levy
Marvin Daniel Levy is a former American and Canadian football coach, front office executive and author.He is a former professional football coach, in the CFL as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes , and in the NFL as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills , coaching the Bills...
, who has stated in several occasions, that Perkins was one of the greatest players he ever coached. He even mentioned him in his NFL Hall of Fame induction speech.
Perkins set 12 records as a three-year halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
starter. The school retired his number (43) when he completed his career - a first in the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
history.
He ranks 14th in the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
career rushing list with 2,001 yards.
He was inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame and the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
Hall of Honor.
NFL career
Perkins signed a personal-services contract with the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
for a $1,500 bonus and a $10,000 salary. This meant he would play for the Cowboys if and when they received an NFL franchise. But he was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the 1960 NFL Draft
1960 NFL Draft
The 1960 National Football League Draft Annual Player Selection Meeting in which NFL teams take turns selecting amateur college American football players and other first-time eligible players, was held in secret in order to fend off increased competition for college players from the American...
by the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
, before he was granted to an NFL franchise. Because of this issue, the Colts were compensated with a Cowboy's 9th round draft pick, in the 1961 NFL Draft
1961 NFL Draft
The 1961 National Football League Draft took place on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise, and the Vikings were also awarded the first selection position in this draft. This draft was also the first regular draft for...
.
They did eventually, and although Baltimore drafted him, the Colts were given compensation -- Perkins doesn't recall what it was -- and Don went immediately to Dallas for the team's first year in 1960.
Well, almost. First, he was supposed to play in the annual College All-Star game in Chicago, but a broken foot in training camp not only wrecked those plans but forced him to miss the entire season.
He sat out the entire 1960 season with a broken foot (fifth metatarsal) he suffered in training camp.
Perkins began playing with the Cowboys in 1961
1961 NFL season
The 1961 NFL season was the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings, after the team's owners declined to be charter members of the new American Football League. The schedule was also expanded from 12 games per...
, rushing for 4.1 yards per carry, and was named NFL rookie of the year. He was a runner who lacked long-distance speed, but made up for it with outstanding quickness and deft agility. He also had great balance and could really cut.
He was considered a superb blocker. Perkins has said that he was a blocker first and a runner second, although he finished in the NFL’s top 10 rushing in each of his eight seasons in the league.
He became the first running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
in Cowboys' history to run for 100 yards in a game. It came against the expansion Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
at the Cotton Bowl
Cotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
on September 24 1961
1961 NFL season
The 1961 NFL season was the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings, after the team's owners declined to be charter members of the new American Football League. The schedule was also expanded from 12 games per...
, when he rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries.
Perkins' best year was in 1962
1962 NFL season
The 1962 NFL season was the 43rd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, CBS signed a contract with the league to televise all regular-season games for a $4.65 million annual fee....
, when he rushed for 945 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the first Cowboy to make the All-NFL team.
He was coming off his two best all-around seasons when he decided to retire prior to the 1969
1969 NFL season
The 1969 NFL season was the 50th regular season of the National Football League, and the last one before the AFL-NFL Merger. To honor the NFL's 50th season, a special anniversary logo was designed and each player wore a patch on their jerseys with this logo throughout the season.As per the...
season. His career lasted eight years, all of them with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. At the time only four other NFL running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s had rushed for more than his 6,217 yards.
Perkins is third on the Cowboys' all-time list behind Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
, Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett
Anthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.-Early years:...
and was named to six Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
teams. He gained a reputation in the NFL for his courage and his resolve on some of worst teams in Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
history.
Perkins wore No. 43, and even though he played the fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
position at 5-10 204-pounds, he led the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in rushing, in six of his eight NFL seasons, which ranks third in club history, as does his 42 career rushing touchdowns.
His ten career, 100-yard games ranks fourth in club history. Perkins had four consecutive seasons leading the team in rushing touchdowns, tied for second place behind only Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
.
Probably the only thing he couldn't do was complete Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
’s annual “mile run” in camp.
Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
once told NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
: "Perkins was in the toughest times,", "The guy was a remarkable runner, a great pass blocker and one of the best players in our history."
Don Perkins was inducted into the Ring of Honor
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
The Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor was a ring around Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas and currently around Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas which honors former players, coaches and club officials who made outstanding contributions to the Dallas Cowboys football organization. The Ring of Honor began...
at Texas Stadium
Texas Stadium
Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675...
alongside his quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Don Meredith
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player...
in 1976. Only Bob Lilly
Bob Lilly
Robert Lewis Lilly is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.-College career:...
got inducted ahead of them, in 1975.
Walt Garrison
Walt Garrison
Walter Benton Garrison is a former American football fullback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys...
was the player that replaced him in the starting lineup. Garrison once said: "Don Perkins was the best fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
the Dallas Cowboys ever had".
In 2006, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made "lasting fame and honor to Texas sports". It was established in 1951 by the Texas Sports Writers Association. Once it made its first induction in 1951, Texas became the first U.S...
.
Post-Football life
Perkins was a talk show analyst for CBS SportsCBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, a football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
analyst for CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, ABC Sports, and other television and radio networks.
He was the director of the Work Incentive Program for the State of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
Department of Human Services from 1972 to 1985.
He served on both the Executive board of US West
US West
U S WEST, Inc. was one of seven Regional Bell Operating Companies , created in 1983 under the Modification of Final Judgement , a case related to the antitrust breakup of AT&T...
and the Board of Trustees for University Hospital
University hospital
A university hospital is an institution which combines the services of a hospital with the education of medical students and with medical research. These hospitals are typically affiliated with a medical school or university...
from 1990 to 1993.
He is currently a member of the Northwest Mesa Branch of the NAACP.
A father of four children and grandfather of ten, he has been active in local theater, public speaking, broadcasting at the local and national level, and is presently retired from the city of Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
.