The sports world is mourning a gridiron legend whose sports career brought him praise from some of the game’s greatest names.
As the Tuscaloosa News reports, Lee Roy Jordan, a standout linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide as well as the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 84.
Jordan’s death was confirmed by the University of Alabama in a post on X which stated, “Rest in Peace to Crimson Tide Legend, Lee Roy Jordan,” describing the athlete as a “champion, a leader, and forever part of Alabama Football history.”
The Dallas Cowboys posted a separate message on X announcing the sad news, writing, “It is with a very heavy heart that we share the passing of Lee Roy Jordan.”
The team added that Jordan was “an inspirational leader of the Cowboys first championship teams” and someone who was “at the core of the Dallas Cowboys ‘Doomsday Defense,’ anchoring the middle linebacker spot for 14 years.”
The Cowboys organization noted that, in addition to his indisputable achievements on the field, Jordan was an admirable force after leaving the world of professional sports.
“His commitment to his community was the centerpiece of his life after retiring in 1976,” the team declared.
Jordan’s college years were marked by his unanimous selection as an All-American back in 1962, having played on Alabama’s 1961 championship squad, which was memorably helmed by legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
His performance led Bryant to deem him “one of the finest football players the world has ever seen. He never had a bad day, he was 100% every day in practice and in the games.”
After college, Jordan was a first-round draft pick of the Cowboys, going on to play 14 professional seasons.
That era saw Jordan earn five Pro Bowl invitations, a 1972 Super Bowl championship, not to mention a nod as NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1983, Jordan was a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, an honor that followed his 1980 ascension to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a true leader in the sport that he loved.
As news of Jordan’s passing began to spread, social media lit up with reactions, including sports journalist Skip Bayless’ observation, “Great football player, great man. As hard a hitter as ever played the game. Bear Bryant’s favorite,” and Andrew Bone’s declaration that Jordan “is on the Mount Rushmore of best LBs of all time at Alabama.”
Perhaps most telling, aside from the football laurels Jordan garnered over the course of his career, was Alabama sports commentator Luke Robinson’s tribute honoring the late star as “A man’s man. An awesome player and businessman but better father, grandfather and person all around.”
