32 Facts About Don Perkins

Donald Anthony Perkins was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys.

Don Perkins played college football at the University of New Mexico.

Don Perkins earned eight letters for Waterloo West High School, four each in football and track.

Don Perkins captained the track team by the time he was a junior.

In 1955, his football team went undefeated and Don Perkins made the first All-state team as a halfback, while playing both offense and defense.

Don Perkins was elected president of the student body during his senior year, extraordinary for a barely integrated school.

Don Perkins played varsity college football at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he played halfback and defensive back as a two-way player.

Don Perkins was a two-time or three-time All-Skyline selection and the Skyline Sophomore of the Year.

Don Perkins was named Associated Press and United Press International back of the week for November 21,1959, when he rushed for 126 yards, had a 64-yard touchdown reception, and scored three touchdowns against Air Force.

The head coach at New Mexico was future Hall of Famer Marv Levy, who has stated in several occasions that Don Perkins was one of the greatest players he ever coached.

Don Perkins mentioned Perkins in his Hall of Fame induction speech in Canton, Ohio.

When Don Perkins first came to Albuquerque and could not find a place to live because of racial segregation, Levy took Don Perkins into his home.

Don Perkins led the team in rushing in 1957 and 1958.

Don Perkins led the team in receiving in 1957 and 1959, and was the first New Mexico player to have both a 100-yard rushing and receiving game in the same season.

Don Perkins's career total 3,466 all-purpose yards was a Lobo record for 13 years.

Don Perkins was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and was in the inaugural class of the University of New Mexico Hall of Honor.

Don Perkins sat out the entire 1960 season with a broken foot he suffered in training camp, so he began playing with the Cowboys in 1961 as a rookie.

Don Perkins lacked long-distance speed, but made up for it with outstanding quickness and balance.

Don Perkins finished with 815 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, earning NFL rookie of the year and Pro Bowl honors.

Don Perkins was third in AP and UPI voting for the NFL's 1961 rookie of the year.

Not only was Don Perkins considered a superb blocker, he finished in the NFL's top 10 rushing in each of his eight seasons in the league.

Don Perkins went from being on losing and mediocre teams, to playing in the NFL championship games against the Green Bay Packers in 1966 and 1967.

Don Perkins led the Dallas Cowboys in rushing in seven of his eight seasons, including five consecutive seasons, and led or co-led them in rushing touchdowns in six of his eight seasons.

Don Perkins was coming off his two best all-around seasons when he decided to retire prior to the 1969 season.

Don Perkins was selected to six Pro Bowls, one first-team All-Pro team, and was named second-team All-Pro as well, while gaining a reputation in the NFL for his courage and resolve on some of worst teams in Dallas Cowboys history.

Don Perkins retired at the end of 1968 having led all active players in rushing yards since the retirement of Jim Taylor, and was fifth in NFL history with 6,217.

Don Perkins was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium alongside his quarterback Don Meredith in 1976.

Don Perkins was one of four former players asked to speak at Tom Landry's funeral.

Don Perkins was a football analyst for CBS Sports, ABC Sports, and other television and radio networks.

Don Perkins was the director of the Work Incentive Program for the State of New Mexico Department of Human Services from 1972 to 1985.

Don Perkins served on both the executive board of US West and the Board of Trustees for University Hospital from 1990 to 1993.

Don Perkins was a member of the Northwest Mesa Branch of the NAACP.