The Dallas Cowboys and football fans around the world are mourning the loss of an iconic figure in the sport.
On Thursday, the team announced the passing of Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys Executive and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brandt, aged 91.
The #DallasCowboys mourn the loss of Cowboys legend and NFL pioneer, Gil Brandt, who passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday morning.
Full statement from Jerry Jones here ⤵️ https://t.co/dCyHFIMGSo
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 31, 2023
Brandt joined the San Francisco 49ers as a full-time scout in 1958, he served as the vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960-1988 and also as their chief talent scout in 1960.
In 2019, Brandt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his contributions.
The Cowboys’ credit Gil Brandt for his groundbreaking contributions to scouting, drafting players such as such as Roger Staubach and Herschel Walker, as well as his work with undrafted players such as Drew Pearson, Cliff Harris, and Everson Walls. and players development.
His introduction of computers into the scouting process revolutionized the way teams evaluated talent, setting a new standard for the NFL
Also, Brandt worked as an NFL media analyst for almost two years.
“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,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.
“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.”
Hall of Fame president Jim Porter echoed Jones’ sentiment.
“You can’t tell the story about the success of the Dallas Cowboys and their two-decade run of winning seasons from the mid-1960s to mid-1980s without mentioning Gil Brandt,” Porter’s statement said.
“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.
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.”
Growing up in Milwaukee, Brandt developed a deep passion for football at a young age. While attending North Division High School, he played as a cornerback during his school days.
Before venturing into the NFL, Brandt worked as a baby photographer however, In 1952, he entered the NFL scene by joining the Los Angeles Rams as a scout.
Brandt’s remarkable scouting expertise did not go unnoticed, leading to him being highly sought after by the San Francisco 49ers. In the late 195s, he transitioned to the 49ers and continued to have a profound impact on player recruitment.
