Legendary Cowboys executive and Hall of Famer Gil Brandt passes away at 91

When you think of some of the most important figures in the history of the Dallas Cowboys organization, Gil Brandt is right up there near the top.

It's with great sadness that we report Brandt passed away Thursday morning at the age of 91. He served as the Cowboys' vice president of player personnel for 28 years. The team rattled off 20 consecutive winning seasons spanning 1965-1985 under Brandt's watch. That run included five Super Bowl appearances and two championships.

Brandt was added to Dallas' Ring of Honor in 2018 and a year later was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Legendary Cowboys executive and Hall of Famer Gil Brandt passes away at 91

Brandt is a Cowboys legend, but he's also a pioneer in modern-day scouting. He's recognized as the first person to use psychological testing to evaluate draft prospects and introduced the 40-yard dash as part of the pre-draft process.

Owner Jerry Jones released the following statement on Brandt's passing:

“We are so deeply saddened by the passing of Gil Brandt – a true icon and pioneer of our sport. 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. His contributions cemented his spot in the Ring of Honor. He was my friend and a mentor not only to me, but to countless executives, coaches, players and broadcasters across the National Football League, which rightfully earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame where his legacy will be celebrated forever. 

He was an innovator and set the standard for excellence in player acquisition. From the creation of the NFL Combine to revolutionizing the NFL Draft, Gil finished his over six-decade NFL career with an eye towards the future of the league and teaching fans about the sport he loved as a radio broadcaster. Gil was as good a storyteller as it gets, with a memory as sharp as a tack. His dedication to, and passion for, this game left a lasting impact on generations of Hall of Fame players and coaches. 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.

Our hearts go out to Gil's wife, Sara, his son Hunter and all of Gil's family and friends."

READ MORE: