D.D. Lewis, Dallas Cowboys Icon, Dies at 79: A Look Back at His Life and Career

The Dallas Cowboys family is mourning the loss of one of its most enduring figures. Dwight Douglas D.D. Lewis, a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ famed “Doomsday” defence and a two-time Super Bowl champion, has died at the age of 79. The franchise confirmed his passing on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Lewis spent 13 seasons in Dallas, becoming one of only eight players in NFL history to appear in five Super Bowls and holding the franchise record with 27 playoff appearances. He is remembered for his toughness and football intelligence, his loyalty to the Cowboys during an era that helped shape the team’s identity, and his enduring football legacy.

In this article, we take a closer look at Lewis’ journey, from his humble beginnings in Tennessee to his celebrated career in Dallas, and the legacy he leaves behind both on and off the field.

D.D. Lewis: Early Life and College Career

Born on October 16, 1945, in Knoxville, Tennessee, D.D. Lewis was the youngest of 14 children. His parents named him Dwight Douglas in honour of two military greats from World War II, Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur. He made his mark early at Fulton High School, where he was named a Tennessee All-State linebacker in 1963.

College Career

Lewis went on to play for Mississippi State University from 1965 to 1967, where he became a standout on both sides of the ball as a two-way player and three-year starter. Despite playing on struggling teams that went just 7–23, he earned a reputation as one of the fiercest defenders in the SEC.

By his senior year, he had established himself as a leader, serving as team captain and becoming the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1967. He was also named a consensus All-American that same season. In fact, legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant once hailed him as “the best linebacker in the country.” Georgia’s Vince Dooley also mentioned that he was the best linebacker his team had faced.

Lewis’ college accolades were plenty: two-time All-SEC selection, UPI second-team All-American, and multiple postseason all-star game appearances. Decades later, his college achievements were honoured with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame (2001), the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1987), and Mississippi State’s Ring of Honour (2011).

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Professional Career

Despite Lewis’s college stardom, concerns about his size pushed him down the draft board. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the sixth round of the 1968 NFL Draft (159th overall). With the team, he started playing as a centre, but was soon moved to outside linebacker, a position that would define his career.

D.D. Lewis missed the 1969 season while serving in the military, but returned to carve out one of the most consistent careers in franchise history. By 1973, following the retirement of Chuck Howley, he became the Cowboys’ starting weakside linebacker, a role he held for nine consecutive years.

In total, Lewis played 13 seasons with Dallas, suiting up in 186 games and starting 135. He became known for his durability, starting 135 consecutive games. He was also known for his leadership, serving as defensive co-captain in the late 1970s. In fact, fans voted him “Most Popular Player” in 1981, a fitting recognition as he prepared to hang up his cleats.

Super Bowl Success, Memorable Moments, and Legacy

Lewis was part of an era that cemented the Cowboys as “America’s Team.” He appeared in five Super Bowls, V, VI, X, XII, and XIII, winning two (VI and XII).

His finest performance was in the 1975 NFC Championship Game, when he intercepted two passes against the Los Angeles Rams, helping Dallas become the first wild-card team to reach the Super Bowl. Two years later, he recorded a sack in the Cowboys’ 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII.

Lewis’ playoff record also remains unmatched in Dallas: 27 postseason appearances, the most in franchise history. Alongside teammate Larry Cole, he became one of the first players in franchise history to appear in games across three different decades.

Though he never earned a Pro Bowl nod, his impact was recognised in other ways; he was named to the Cowboys Silver Anniversary Team in 1984 and received the Bart Starr Meritorious Award in 1981. He also gifted Cowboys fans one of the franchise’s most iconic quips when he said, “Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch His favorite team play.”

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Life After Football

D.D. Lewis retired after the 1981 season, closing out a remarkable 13-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. Post-football, he remained tied to the game through his honours and Hall of Fame inductions, while also building a quieter life away from the spotlight. He became known for his humility and was actively involved in his community.

Conclusion

D.D. Lewis was more than just a linebacker; he was a symbol of resilience, loyalty, and quiet excellence. A sixth-round draft pick who defied the odds, he went on to embody the grit and consistency of the Cowboys during their rise to prominence in the 1970s.

As a two-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Super Bowl participant, and the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff appearances, his legacy remains firmly intact. Cowboys fans will remember him for his play, for his presence, which was a steady force that helped define an era, and his enduring legacy.

Lewis’ passing at 79 marks the end of a remarkable life in football, but his story and impact will live on in Dallas and beyond.

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