Don Perkins

Don Perkins Date of birth: March 4, 1938(1938-03-04) (age 70) Place of birth: Waterloo, IowaCareer information Position(s): Running back College: New Mexico NFL Draft: 1960/ Round: 9 / Pick 106 Organizations As player: 1961-1968 Dallas CowboysCareer highlights and Awards Pro Bowls: 6 Honors: Dallas Cowboys Ring of HonorStats at DatabaseFootball.com

Donald Anthony Perkins (born March 4, 1938 in Waterloo, Iowa) was an American football running back who spent eight seasons with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

College career

Don Perkins played college football at the University of New Mexico, where he played running back, and was a returner. He was a three-time All-Skyline Selection from 1957-1959, and the Skyline Sophomore of the year in 1957. In 1958, he led the nation in kickoff returns. One year, Perkins nearly singlehandedly beat the United States Air Force Academy, an upset at the time.

NFL career

Perkins was originally drafted in the 1960 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, but Perkins had already signed a contract with the Cowboys before Dallas was granted an NFL franchise, so the Colts were compensated for his staying with the Cowboys. Perkins began playing with the Cowboys in 1961, rushing for 4.1 yards per carry in his first season. During his career, he continued to maintain his 4.1 yards per carry average, accumulating 6,217 yards total over eight seasons (third on the Cowboys' all-time list behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett) and being named to six Pro Bowl teams.

Towards the end of his career, Perkins was placed more in a blocking fullback role, where he remained until his retirement prior to the 1969 season. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium alongside his quarterback Don Meredith in 1976.