Houston (AFP) – Lee Roy Jordan, who spent 14 years at linebacker for the “Doomsday Defense” of the Dallas Cowboys, has died at age 84, the NFL club announced on Saturday. Jordan played his entire NFL career for the Cowboys from 1963-1976 and helped Dallas win its first Super Bowl crown in the 1971 season, beating Miami in the title game.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we share the passing of Lee Roy Jordan,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “An inspirational leader of the Cowboys’ first championship teams, Jordan was at the core of the ‘Doomsday Defense,’ anchoring the middle linebacker spot for 14 years. With fearless instincts, leadership and a relentless work ethic, Jordan was the embodiment of the Cowboys’ spirit.”
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Jordan helped spark Alabama to an unbeaten college championship campaign in 1961 and in 1963 was picked sixth overall in the NFL Draft by the Cowboys, becoming the first rookie linebacker in Dallas history to open the season as a starter. He also helped Dallas reach the Super Bowl in the 1970 season, when the Cowboys lost the title to the then-Baltimore Colts, and in the 1975 campaign, when they fell to Pittsburgh in the championship game.
In 1971, Jordan made a team-record 21 tackles against Philadelphia and in 1973 he intercepted three passes in the first quarter by Cincinnati’s Ken Anderson, returning one for a touchdown. Jordan retired after making 743 solo tackles for Dallas in 186 contests. He intercepted 32 career passes, returning three for touchdowns, and made 154 consecutive starts in one stretch.
“His legacy lives on as a model of dedication, integrity and toughness,” the Cowboys’ team statement said. “Lee Roy Jordan’s impact on the game, and on those who knew him, will live on forever.”
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