He still holds a Cowboys’ franchise record

THE Dallas Cowboys are in mourning as one of their greatest-ever players has died.

Tributes have been made as the Cowboys say goodbye to their two-time Super Bowl winner.

D. D. Lewis has died aged 79

Lewis (right) was a member of the Dallas Cowboys’ ‘Doomsday Defense’Credit: Getty
D. D. Lewis died on September 16 at 79 years old.

No cause of death has been given.

Lewis joined the Cowboys from Mississippi State, where he became a College Football Hall of Famer.

He was selected during the sixth round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the 159th overall pick.

The linebacker missed the 1969 season as he participated in military service before returning a year later.

In 1973 he became a regular starter for the Cowboys after being a backup to the legendary Chuck Howley, 89.

His first Super Bowl victory came in 1972, overcoming the Miami Dolphins 24-3.

After losing Super Bowl X, the Cowboys lifted the trophy once again, six years after their last title.

Lewis became a core member of the Cowboys’ famous ‘Doomsday Defense’.

He featured as a weakside linebacker, lining up alongside fellow greats Lee Roy Jordan and Bob Breunig.
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Jordan died on August 30.

The 72-year-old Breunig has previously spoken about the impact that Lewis had at the Cowboys.

“Yeah, D.D.’s such a great guy,” Breunig said several years ago. “D.D. was a locker room peacemaker, peacekeeper, because everybody loved D.D.

“I mean, he’s got this happy spirit about him and was a great linebacker, too, by the way.”

His influence is undeniable as he featured heavily during a strong period for the Cowboys.

Between 1973 and 1981, he missed just two games as he started 132 times, never once appearing in a losing season.

Lewis reached the play-offs an incredible 12 times during his 13-year career.

He set a former NFL record of appearing in 27 play-off games, which remains an all-time franchise high.

The only other non-kickers to beat this record has only been beaten by Tom Brady and Jerry Rice, while Peyton Manning has tied it.

While Lewis never became an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, he was named as the Cowboys’ Man of the Year for his final 1981 season.