Former Cowboys Great Lee Roy Jordan, Key to ‘Doomsday Defense,’ Dead at 84

Lee Roy Jordan, the formidable and intuitive linebacker who was the backbone of the Dallas Cowboys’ inaugural Super Bowl-winning defense and the first player to be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor under owner Jerry Jones, has passed away. He was eighty-four.

The Cowboys announced the passing of Jordan on Saturday, though they did not disclose a cause or date.

In 1963, Jordan was selected as a first-round draft pick, joining Dallas following an impressive career at Alabama, where he played under the renowned coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. He served as the defensive leader for the Crimson Tide’s national championship team in 1961 and earned recognition as an Associated Press All-American in 1962. In 1983, he received the honor of being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Jordan emerged as a key figure in the Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense” during the late 1960s and early ’70s. His leadership and tackling prowess enabled Dallas to overcome its reputation as “next year’s champions” following multiple playoff disappointments, including the legendary “Ice Bowl” loss to Green Bay in 1967 and a last-second Super Bowl defeat to Baltimore in 1970.

The pivotal moment occurred during the 1971 season, as Jordan spearheaded a linebacking unit featuring Chuck Howley and defensive tackle Bob Lilly. They united to lead Dallas to its inaugural Super Bowl championship, achieving a 24-3 victory against the Miami Dolphins. Lilly’s 29-yard sack of quarterback Bob Griese stands out as one of the most unforgettable moments in Cowboys history.

Jordan retired in 1976, just one season prior to Dallas securing its second championship. During that period, he was recognized as one of the NFL’s most reliable defenders, achieving five Pro Bowl selections. He holds the second position on the Cowboys’ all-time tackles list with 1,236, only behind Darren Woodson, a safety who excelled on the Cowboys’ dynasty teams of the 1990s.

In 1989, the Cowboys paid tribute to Jordan by making him the inaugural player inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor after Jerry Jones acquired the franchise.

“With fearless instincts, leadership, and a relentless work ethic, Jordan represented the very essence of the Cowboys’ spirit,” the team stated. “Beyond the field, his dedication to his community became the focal point of his life following his retirement in 1976.”

At Alabama, Jordan is celebrated as a figure who exemplified Bryant’s tough-minded philosophy towards football. “Eternally a part of Alabama football history,” the Crimson Tide shared on social media Saturday.

Jordan’s legacy endures in both Tuscaloosa and Dallas, where his resilience and reliability played a pivotal role in shaping two of the sport’s most illustrious programs.

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