Today it was announced that ex-Dallas Cowboys Running Back and Offensive Coordinator Dan Reeves has passed away at the age of 77. Reeves spent 23 years as a head coach with three different teams after moving on from the Cowboys and was a part of nine total Super Bowls in his career as a player and coach.
Reeves’s play-style as a Running Back was ahead of his time, as he was a dual-threat that was effective as a runner and a pass-catcher. Over his eight-year career, he racked up 1990 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, as well as 1693 receiving yards and an additional 17 touchdowns through the air.
1966 was Reeves’s best statistical season for the Cowboys, as he led the league with 16 total touchdowns to go along with 757 rushing yards and 41 catches for an additional 557 receiving yards.
Reeves appeared in Two Super Bowls with the Cowboys, helping them secure the title over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. The Cowboys set several records at the time in this 24-3 beat down of the Dolphins, including most rushing yards (252), most first downs (23), and the fewest points allowed (3).
Reeves created an even larger legacy as a coach, leading Dallas to one of the best offenses in the league in all four seasons that he served as Offensive Coordinator. From there, Reeves would go on to lead his team to four more Super Bowl appearances as a head coach for the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, although he was never able to ever win the Lombardi Trophy as an HC.
Reeves was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1993 while leading the New York Giants, however, they declined quickly the following season and Reeves was fired after Week 14. At the time of Reeves’s retirement, he held the record for the most total Super Bowl appearances with 9, a record that has since been broken by the dynamic duo that dominated the last two decades in Bill Bellicheck and Tom Brady.
Reeves’ family released a statement saying he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a long illness.
