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Tom Landry - Awards And Retirement

Landry's status as icon and legend never changed, but the NFL did and in 1989, after three consecutive losing seasons, he was unceremoniously fired by Dallas' new owner, Jerry Jones. Although most onlookers felt it was the wrong choice at the time, Landry never expressed public bitterness. In 1990, he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame alongside five of his former players. He made a rare appearance at Texas Stadium, in 1993, to be inducted into the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor.

In retirement, Landry remained active in business with his son and various Christian organizations. He indulged his love of flying and became a successful motivational speaker. His death from Leukemia at the age of 75 was marked by many tributes and the unveiling of a statue of his likeness, fedora and all, in Texas Stadium.

Awards and Accomplishments

Landry retired with a career coaching record of 270 wins, 178 losses, and 6 ties.
1954 Named All-Pro
1955 Played in first Pro Bowl
1966 Won first conference title
1966 Named NFL coach of the year
1971 Won first NFC title
1972 Won first Super Bowl
1973 Won 100th game
1977 Won second Super Bowl
1982 Won 200th game
1990 Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
1993 Inducted into Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor

A Chapter Closed

The great stone face flinched and the flinty blue eyes went glassy when Tom Landry heard the verdict: He had been summarily removed as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, after 29 years. There was no appeal, no recourse, no room for negotiation. Landry, 64, gazed in shock at the two men who had brought him the terrible news. He said in disbelief, "You've taken my team away from me." …

Thus it was that America's Team came up with a new owner (only its third in 29 years), a new coach (only its second), a new high in the gross price paid for a U.S. sports enterprise (next best: the reported $110 million paid for the New England Patriots and their stadium in 1988) and a new low in insulting a living legend ….

Source: William Oscar Johnson. Sports Illustrated, March 6, 1989, p. 22.

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