A lesson from Dandy Don Meredith - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Rack Bauer · 11-14-2005

We all know that the QB position is held to a higher standard with Dallas Cowboys fan, but the next time our QB (doesn't matter who it is) has a bad game, think of Don Meredith.

In 1968 he suffered a broken nose, broken ribs, punctured lung, an pnmonia (sp?). Before one game he left the hospital (with the broken ribs, punctured lung, and pnmonia) to play a game. THe cowboys lost and the fans and media blamed Meredith. He nearly died after the game due to fluids seaping (sp?) into his lung.

He retired after that season because he couldn't take it anymore.

The point is we, as fans, almost ALWAYS blame the QB when the team loses despited the fact that it's almost NEVER actually the QBs fault. One of the greatest QBs in Cowboys history showed toughness you will NEVER see again for as long as we live, yet he was booed and blamed for the TEAM's poor play.

We owe it to these players (past, present, and future) to LEARN and UNDERSTAND the game so that we don't blindly and ignorantly blame the QB everytime the team plays poorly. And I'm referring to EVERYONE. Even those that are comfortable with their knowledge of the game can learn and understand the game BETTER.

Those guys don't MEAN to play poorly anyway. Even Quincy Carter worked his arse off. Yes, he sucked, but he deserved a little respect for the hard work he put into his profession. Troy Aikman, Chad Hutchinson, Gary Hogeboom, etc... they ALL deserve our RESPECT for the effort they put on the field.

3 and a half decades late, but here's to you, Dandy Don.

roughneck266 · 11-14-2005

Nice post!

adbutcher · 11-14-2005

great post!

THUMPER · 11-14-2005

I always blame the coaches when we lose, those fat bastids.

Nice post Rack.

burmafrd · 11-14-2005

Damn it rack, just when I have written you off you come up with something like this. Dandy Don was a tough old son- and harldy anyone realized it because of his folksy disposition. Shame.

Cbz40 · 11-14-2005

Great post Rack......Dandy Don brought this team to the center of the National stage and we have been there ever since....Thank you Don Meredith

Juke99 · 11-14-2005

Vastly underappreciated QB. He took a beating, physically and emotionally.

The losses to the Packers weighed on him but the final loss to an inferior Brown's team did him in.

He was seen as a guy who couldn't win the big game...followed by Morton, who was seen the same way.

But Dandy was dandy. And a darn good QB too.

Thanks Rack.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 11-14-2005

Nice Post Rack.

Sadly I doubt it if makes much difference to the instant evaluators.

I honestly think some go into the game ready to blame a player or coach.

Ever notice how some posters never post a thread after the team wins...but as soon as they lose they are out in full force.

Eitherway, It was a nice post Rack.

joseephuss · 11-14-2005

Isn't that picture with him and the broken nose a fake injury? I know he really suffered a broken nose at one time and I also seem to recall a story of how he got some make up from one of his hollywood friends and he faked an injury as a joke. I thought that particular photo accompanied the story.

Part of the reason Don was blamed so much by the fans is that Landry blamed him as well. Coach Landry never really stood behind Meredith. I think Landry told him he made a good decision to retire, when Don infomed him.

**trickblue** · 11-14-2005

Still my favorite Cowboy... and the ONLY #17 in my book...

As Staubach said, Meredith was the reason for the Cowboys rise to the top...

CowboyChris · 11-14-2005

Meredith was one tough S.O.B.

CosmicCowboy · 11-14-2005

Wow !!! A post like this for Dandy Don, has been well overdue. Don, was one tough 'Cowboy' who I,feel helped put the Cowboys, up there with the NFL's elite.
Great post Rack !!!...and Thanks Don...

BARRYRAY · 11-14-2005

Always wondered how much of Dandy Don was part of the north Dallas forty QB, in the story he gets freaky with this guys wife while husband watches and that was just too wierd...

Doomsday101 · 11-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by BARRYRAY

Always wondered how much of Dandy Don was part of the north Dallas forty QB, in the story he gets freaky with this guys wife while husband watches and that was just too wierd...

The role in the movie by Mac Davis was based on Meredith but then according to some players back then Pete Gent went a bit overboard with the story.

burmafrd · 11-14-2005

Gent went WAY overboard. Landry had his blind spots, and unfortunately Dandy Don was right square in the middle of one. They never trusted each other to be right and do the right thing- and that probably cost us a championship or two. Remember that Dandy was a partier and that really always was grating on Landry; a real shame for the Boys.