Tributes are pouring in after a two-time Dallas CowboysSuper Bowl champion died at 77 years old.
John Fitzgerald, the Dallas Cowboys’ starting center for most of the 1970s, died on Monday, April 14. The two-time Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman was a standout player in the NFL. He played a big role in the Cowboys' transition from going under center to playing in shotgun with Tom Landry.
The former Cowboys lineman played in five Super Bowls, winning two. Fitzgerald played in 137 games and lasted 12 seasons.
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The Cowboys released a statement.
"Beginning in 1975, Fitzgerald was the foundation for head coach Tom Landry's reintroduction of the famed shotgun offense, easily handling the transition of hiking the ball a farther distance to quarterback Roger Staubach. Thus would begin a stretch of three times in four seasons that the Cowboys would reach the Super Bowl, winning it all in 1977 with a 27-10 defeat of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII," the Cowboys announced.
"Fitzgerald was also credited with one of the greatest nicknames in the history of the game after describing the Cowboys' offensive line of 1979-80 as 'Four Irishmen and a Scott.' That was in reference to himself at center, left tackle Pat Donovan, right guard Tom Rafferty, right tackle Jim Cooper and left guard Herb Scott."
NFL fans are paying tribute
"A career that helped build the game long before the spotlight got this bright," one fan wrote.
"RIP to a legend," one fan added.
"A dominant presence on the Cowboys line. May he rest in peace," one fan added.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family members during this time. May he rest in peace.
