D.D. Lewis, Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Linebacker, Dead at 79

D.D. Lewis, Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Linebacker, Dead at 79

D.D. Lewis, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and one of Mississippi State’s most decorated players, has died at the age of 79, the team announced this week.

Born in Tennessee, Lewis made his mark at Mississippi State beginning in 1965, quickly rising as one of the top defensive players in the country. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1967 and earned consensus All-American honors the same season. His collegiate success later earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and Mississippi State’s Ring of Honor in 2011.

Lewis was drafted in the sixth round by the Cowboys in 1968. His 13-year NFL career, briefly interrupted in 1969 for military service, was defined by consistency and toughness. He appeared in nearly every game during his career, missing only four regular-season contests.

During his time in Dallas, Lewis became a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense, helping lead the franchise through one of its most successful eras. He won two Super Bowls, in 1972 and 1978, while appearing in three additional championship games and seven conference title contests. His standout moment came in the 1975 NFC Championship, when he intercepted two passes against the Rams, sending Dallas to the Super Bowl.

Beloved for his wit as well as his play, Lewis is remembered for his famous line about the Cowboys’ old home: “Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch his favorite team play.”