Former Cowboys star running back Don Perkins dies at age 84

Don Perkins (Wikimedia Commons)

According to Patrik Walker of CBS Sports on Thursday, former Dallas Cowboys star running back Don Perkins of Waterloo, Iowa passed away at the age of 84. Perkins spent eight seasons with the Cowboys from 1961 to 1968.

In 107 games, Perkins had 1500 rushes for 6217 yards and 42 rushing touchdowns. He also had 146 catches for 1310 yards and three touchdowns.

Perkins had an exceptional start to his National Football League career. In his rookie season, he finished third in rookie of the year voting after having 815 rushing yards. The only two players ahead of Perkins in the voting were tight end Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears (who won the award), and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton (who finished second).

Perkins followed up his strong rookie season, with the best season of his career in 1962, when he had a career-high 945 yards. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first three NFL seasons (1961, 1962, and 1963), and his last three NFL seasons (1966, 1967 and 1968).

Perkins is one of two Pro Bowl running backs who played with the Dallas Cowboys who died this month. On June 1, Marion Barber of Plymouth, Minnesota died suddenly at the age of 38. The 2007 Pro Bowler was dealing with mental health issues according to the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, and police are still investigating the cause of death, as Barber died in his apartment.

Barber played six seasons with the Cowboys from 2005 to 2010 and another season with the Bears in 2011. In 99 NFL games, he had 1156 rushes for 4780 yards and 53 rushing touchdowns, along with 179 catches for 1330 yards and six touchdowns. In Barber’s Pro Bowl season, he had a career-high 975 yards rushing. Other former Cowboys to die in 2022 were running back Dan Reeves and offensive tackle Rayfield Wright.

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