DALLAS — Lee Roy Jordan, a legendary linebacker for both the University of Alabama and the Dallas Cowboys, has passed away at the age of 84. His death was confirmed by the Cowboys on Saturday, though no specific details regarding the date or cause were shared.
Jordan’s football journey began at Alabama, where he rose to prominence under the guidance of the late, iconic coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. His leadership and talent helped the Crimson Tide secure the 1961 national championship, and his stellar performance earned him recognition as an Associated Press All-American in 1962. His college career laid the foundation for his transition to the professional stage, where he would leave an indelible mark.
In 1963, Jordan was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Almost immediately, he became a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Known for his fierce instincts, tireless work ethic, and ability to command the field, Jordan quickly established himself as a leader. By the 1971 season, he played a central role in the Cowboys’ famed “Doomsday Defense,” which propelled the team to its first Super Bowl victory—a dominant 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Although he retired in 1976, just a year before the Cowboys claimed their second Super Bowl, Jordan’s influence endured. During his 14-year career, he was selected to five Pro Bowls and finished with an impressive 1,236 career tackles, which still ranks as the second-most in franchise history. Only Darren Woodson, a safety on the Cowboys’ championship teams of the 1990s, surpassed his total.
His legacy within the Cowboys organization was cemented in 1989 when Jerry Jones, after purchasing the team, chose Jordan as the very first inductee into the Cowboys’ prestigious Ring of Honor. This distinction underscored Jordan’s central role in shaping the Cowboys’ identity during the formative years of the franchise’s rise to prominence.
Jordan’s career was filled with defining moments that helped transform the Cowboys from perennial contenders to champions. The team had long been known as “next year’s champions” after heartbreaking playoff losses, including the famed “Ice Bowl” defeat to the Green Bay Packers in 1967 and a narrow loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. Yet, it was Jordan’s leadership alongside fellow defensive greats like Chuck Howley and Bob Lilly that brought the long-awaited breakthrough. One of the most iconic plays from that Super Bowl victory was Lilly’s sack of Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese, which epitomized the defensive dominance led by Jordan.
Beyond the football field, Jordan was deeply respected for his contributions to his community and for embodying the values of leadership and dedication. The Cowboys, in their tribute, highlighted his fearless approach to the game and his enduring impact on those around him, noting that his commitment to others defined his life after retiring from professional sports.
Jordan’s career accolades extended beyond the NFL. In 1983, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, a recognition of his outstanding achievements during his time with Alabama. His legacy lives on not only through the records he set and the championships he helped secure but also through the standard of excellence he represented for future generations of athletes.
Lee Roy Jordan leaves behind a lasting imprint on the game of football, remembered as both a tenacious competitor on the field and a dedicated leader off it.
