When he retired following the 1968 season, only four players in NFL history (Jim Brown, Joe Perry, Jim Taylor and John Henry Johnson) had more rushing yards than Don Perkins, who over the course of eight seasons with the Cowboys ran for 6,217.

Actually, technically speaking, Perkins was an original member of the franchise in 1960, having signed a personal services contract as a rookie out of the University of New Mexico that was upheld by the league. Alas, he broke his foot during workouts with the College All-Star Team in August and was forced to sit out his entire first season.

Perkins, a fullback, ran with a rare burst in which he reached top speed almost instantly and slowed up almost as quickly. There was always pressure on the quarterback to take a quick snap and turn around because Perkins would often already be there waiting for the handoff before then bursting through the gap for four or five yards.

But long gains with breakaway speed wasn't Perkins. His game was more ground and pound between the tackles, with a gifted ability at 5-10 and 204 pounds to stay upright after the initial contact. He was also superb as a lead blocker or in picking up the pass rush.

A six-time Pro Bowl selection as well as an All-Pro with a career-best 945 rushing yards and seven scores in 1962, Perkins also ranked among the NFL's top 10 for yards in each of his eight years in the league. He finished strong, too, with back-to-back 800-plus yard seasons in his final two campaigns. When his retirement was finally announced, head coach Tom Landry said, "His best years I've seen are the last two. I think he has ended his playing days at least three years too soon."

His former teammate and fellow fullback Walt Garrison once said of Perkins, "He's my hero. He's also the best fullback in the history of the Dallas Cowboys."

Along with Bob Lilly, Perkins was really the first star to play with the Star on his helmet. A class act beloved by his teammates, he was among the four former players asked to speak at Landry's funeral.

Perkins was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 1976 along with his longtime quarterback, Don Meredith.