Legendary NFL executive Gil Brandt, the innovative mind who helped construct the Dallas Cowboys‘ first two world championship rosters, has died. He was 91.
Gil, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, served as the vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys from 1960 to 1988.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Brandt got his start in the NFL as a part-time employee of the Los Angeles Rams. After a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers as a full-time staffer, he caught on with the expansive Cowboys as their chief talent scout.
During his long stretch with the Cowboys, Brandt drafted Roger Staubach and Herschel Walker and is credited with the introduction of computers into scouting.
Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones on Death of Gil Brandt
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in the announcement of Brandt’s passing, released the following statement:
“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.
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)
“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.”
Gil Brandt After Football
Brandt’s time in the public arena did not end with his time with the Cowboys. Rather, it grew exponentially.
He was one of the first big, credible football voices to take a job in satellite radio and hosted a popular show with Alex Marvez for more than a decade.
Brandt — even in his 70s and 80s — understood the importance of brand development and reach, and was determined to have new callers phone into the show every night. His connection with his audience was deep; he would go so far as to send autographed trading cards to listeners and even kept a listed personal phone number in Dallas.
“We know what Gil Brandt’s influence was on the NFL,” Marvez said Thursday. “The Godfather of college scouting. The man who brought computers into the NFL and helped make the Dallas Cowboys America’s team.
“What is equally impressive to me is how Gil Brandt reinvented himself after getting fired by Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson,” he added. “You’re talking about someone who’s at an older age who maybe could have gone on to be a general manager somewhere else, but decided to do media and was incredible at it.
“He knew how to use the power of the media. Where others may fade away sometimes from previous generations, Gil reintroduced himself to an entire new generation through SiriusXM Radio and NFL.com.”
