Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt Passes Away at Age 91
Dallas Cowboys legend Gil Brandt, renowned for his role in building the team into one of the most successful franchises in sports history, has died at the age of 91, according to an announcement by the Cowboys.
Brandt, who served as the vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys for 29 years, was widely regarded as the architect behind the team’s success. He played a crucial role in drafting and developing talented players, contributing to the Cowboys’ dominance from 1966 to 1985.
“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,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a statement.
Under Brandt’s leadership, the Cowboys appeared in five championship games and won Super Bowls VI and XII. The team achieved an unprecedented 20 consecutive winning seasons during his tenure, earning them the nickname “America’s Team.”
Brandt’s ability to spot talent and make astute draft choices was unparalleled. He drafted nine players who, like him, went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Notable selections include defensive tackle Bob Lilly in 1960 and quarterback Troy Aikman in 1989.
In addition to his talent evaluation skills, Brandt was credited with various innovations in the scouting process and player evaluations. He was the first to incorporate the use of computers and psychological tests to assess players’ abilities and mental makeup. These methods have now become standard practice throughout the NFL.
Brandt’s successful evaluations and contributions to the game led to the development of the NFL Scouting Combine and the transformation of the player draft into a three-day, television spectacle.
“His innovative approach to scouting and player evaluation helped the organization find players others overlooked. The result was discovering future Cowboys from smaller colleges, or even off college basketball or track teams,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.
Following his illustrious career with the Cowboys, Brandt continued to share his expertise as an analyst for NFL.com and on national radio broadcasts.
“He is credited with advancing the use of computers in the front office of pro football teams, but the real computer was the one in his own head, where he stored an incredible amount of information that he loved to share with anyone who appreciated the game like he did,” remarked Porter.
Brandt’s impact on the sport and the league was immeasurable, earning him the respect and gratitude of his peers and the entire football community.
“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,” said Jones, highlighting Brandt’s significance.
Brandt’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 was a fitting tribute to his contributions to the game. His legacy will forever be remembered, and his influence on the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL will continue to be felt for generations to come.