Don Meredith, Dallas Cowboys QB, dies at 72

Sad news to hear that Don Meredith, the former Dallas Cowboys quaterback and one of the early stars of the Monday Night Football franchise, has died at age 72.

To anyone who grew up watching football in the '60s and beyond, Meredith was a somewhat tragic figure. He brought the Cowboys to prominence, but could never quite get them to the top -- that lofty spot was guarded by the Packers. Still, "Dandy Don" was admired for his love of life. He also was a good foil for his successor as Cowboys quarterback, the straight-laced U.S. Naval Academy grad Roger Staubach, who would lead the team to Super Bowl championships. After retiring from the game, Meredith was a familiar face as part of the MNF team. He's shown here flanked by Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford.

To read more about Meredith, try these books:

-- America's Team: The Authorized History of the Dallas Cowboys by Jeff Sullivan

-- The Dallas Cowboys: 50 Years of Football by the editors of Sports Illustrated

-- Cowboys Chronicles: A Complete History of the Dallas Cowboys by Marty Strasen

-- Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes: The Definitive Oral History of America's Team by Peter Golenbock