John Niland Passes

[Hagman]

John Niland is one of my all-time favorite Cowboys. As a boy, I remember big old 76 sweeping out to clear the field for backs like Calvin Hill and Duane Thomas. Since I joined this site, I have placed it under my avatar that he belongs in the Ring Of Honor.

I haven’t seen any news stories posted about this, but I am Facebook friends with him and I just saw this posted on his Facebook page. Mods, I didn’t know how to put this in a format with a link, but you can go to John’s Facebook page to verify the accuracy of this.

This is heartbreaking for me. Another one of my boyhood heroes has gone.

The information below is copied and pasted from Facebook

John Hugh Niland
February 29, 1944 - August 15, 2026

On August 15, 2026 at 7:20am, John Niland of Amityville, New York passed away in his home in McKinney, Texas with his family.

John will become a Legacy Donor, as his brain will be donated to the Boston University CTE Center to be studied and shed light on the affects of professional sports on the human body. You can read and support their amazing work at www.bu.edu/cte/.

In lieu of cards, please email photos, videos, stories and memories to [email protected] so the family can have these things forever.

Thank you to the millions of friends and fans that have supported, cheered on and loved our John just as much as we did.

The Niland family requests privacy at this time. Celebration of Life services to be announced.

 

[pitt33]

He was a good lineman for those stellar Cowboy teams.

RIP Mr. Niland

 

[Carson]

RIP

 

[Boyzmamacita]

A little before my Cowboys fandom, but I've heard nothing but good things about him. R.I.P. Mr. Niland. Our heroes are waving goodbye.

 

[RS12]

RIP. Has a case for HOF besides being a main stay on the O Line for a decade. He was starter at LG on the 1971 Championship team, 3 time All Pro, 6 time Pro Bowler when it actually meant something.

 

[Sandyf]

RIP Mr. John Niland. Another great Cowboy lineman gone to soon.

 

[America's Cowboy]

One of the first All Time greats at the Cowboys Guard position...

Rest in Peace, Mr. John Niland.

 

[Captain Late]

So Sorry to hear of John Niland passing away.He overcame a difficult early life to have a highly successful career in the NFL.When the Cowboys drafted him from Iowa in the 1st Round of the 1966 Draft they could see his Toughness,Athleticism and Determination and he became one of the top Offensive Guards in the NFL(and Dallas Cowboys History) with 3 1st Team All Pro Honors and 6 Pro Bowl Selections from 1966-1974.He gave those Great Cowboys Offensive Lines the Intensity they needed,was consistent,durable and held in high regard by Coach Tom Landry,Offensive Line Coach Jim Myers,his Teammates and Opponents.

RIP Johnny "One Shot" and You will never be forgotten by the Dallas Cowboys Fans who saw You play.

 

[DuncanIso]

I had hope that the HoF selection committee would have put him in the HoF while he was still with us.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

R. I. P. John Niland. One of the greats.

 

[big dog cowboy]

RIP to another one of my childhood hero's. A great Cowboys player.

 

[MIViper]

RIP

 

[bigE79]

RIP John... thank you for all you have done to help make the Dallas Cowboys the greatest sports team ever.

 

[jazzcat22]

RIP Mr. Niland.
I remember him playing.