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Tex Schramm

Texas Earnest Schramm, Jr. (June 2, 1920 - July 15, 2003) was the original president and general manager of the US National Football League's Dallas Cowboys franchise. Schramm became the head of the Dallas Cowboys when the former expansion team started operations in 1960.

Contrary to what his name suggests, he was not born in Texas, but Los Angeles, California; Texas was his father's name, and where his parents met. Before joing the Cowboys, Schramm was part of the Los Angeles Rams (now St. Louis Rams) from 1947 - 1956. During his tenure, Schramm hired Pete Rozelle as the Rams' public relations director; Rozelle later became one of the most important commissioners in the history of the NFL.

In 1966, Schramm helped start negotiations between the NFL and the American Football League, which led to the 1970 merger as well as the first Super Bowl in 1967. Schramm was also known for his innovations that helped redefine the modern NFL, such as forming the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, using computer technology in scouting, and instant replay.

He was president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 through 1989. During his tenure, he hired legendary coach Tom Landry and oversaw the Cowboys rise as one of the NFL's elite franchises, nicknamed "America's Team." The Cowboys under coach Landry won the Super Bowl in 1972 and 1978 and appeared in five total.

He married his high school sweetheart, Martha Anne Snowden, in 1941. Mrs. Schramm died on December 8, 2002. They had 3 daughters.

In 1991, Schramm was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. In October 2003, became the 12th person selected into the Dallas Cowboys "Ring of Honor", which he created.

Last updated: 05-06-2005 14:34:41