ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Don Meredith, one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys and an original member of ABC's "Monday Night Football" broadcast team, died Sunday. He was 72.
Meredith's wife, Susan, told The Associated Press on Monday her husband died in Santa Fe after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma. She and her daughter were at Meredith's side when he died.
"He was the best there was," she said, describing him as kind, warm and funny. "We lost a good one."
She said a private graveside service was being planned and that family members were traveling to Santa Fe.
Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1968, becoming the starting quarterback in 1965. While he never led the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, Meredith was one of the franchise's first stars.
"Don Meredith was one of the most colorful characters in NFL history. He was star on the field who became an even bigger star on television," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He brought joy to football fans, from his play in historic NFL games like the Ice Bowl to his great personality that helped launch the success of Monday Night Football."
Over his nine-year career, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 111 touchdowns. He retired unexpectedly before the 1969 season.
Just two years after retiring from football, Meredith joined Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as part of the "Monday Night Football" crew.
He quickly became one of the most popular broadcasters in sports because of his folksy sayings and country humor.
Remembering Don Meredith's best lines
Anyone who's familiar with Don Meredith's work on the original Monday Night Football crew knows he wouldn't want the news of his death at the age of 72 to cast a pall.
In that spirit, here are some of his best lines:
"If 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a merry Christmas?"
On teammate Walt Garrison: "If you needed four yards, you'd give the ball to Garrison and he'd get you four yards. If you needed 20 yards, you'd give the ball to Garrison and he'd get you four yards."
His comment when Vice President Spiro Agnew visited the Monday Night booth: "I didn't vote for you, but you do have a nice suit on."
On playing for Tom Landry: "He's such a perfectionist that if he were married to Dolly Parton he'd expect her to cook."
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