An awfully good player in a very different time. Think he was around 5th all-time in NFL rushing yards when he retired. Of course, the game has changed a great deal over the years, and while his stats no longer look that impressive, they were extremely good for the era. I believe he was all-pro three times and made multiple Pro Bowls. I suppose he was the Cowboys' first offensive "star." He was a fullback when fullbacks still functioned as runners in a dual backfield -- kind of a Jim Taylor type. And he is a truly first-class individual.
I loved his baratone voice.
When he was a broadcaster after his playing career, I just liked him even more.
As a fan starting in the mid-60s..
my family went to the games together. My mom would fix basket lunches and we all cheered and backslapped each other at every chance.
My mom was an adament Don Perkins fan and loved Willie Townes. Townes' nickname was 'Baby Cakes'. She would stand and scream "Perkins up the middle" and Meredith would comply more likely than not and give Perkins the ball.
Same thing with Townes playing DL. Mom would scream "Make me some Baby Cakes" and Townes would flush out Fran Tarkington or Billy Kilmer and get a tackle.
Those are fond memories for me as a Cowboys fan.
So we're the splinters from the wooden bench seats in the Cotton Bowl. We had to spread blankets on the seats to not eat your clothes.
That is light years ago compared to ATT Stadium now. But some things never change.
Now we have Zeke up the middle and Tank from the flank.
.