Lee Roy Jordan, the legendary linebacker who anchored the Dallas Cowboys “Doomsday Defense” and helped lead the franchise to its first Super Bowl victory, died Saturday, August 30, 2025, at age 84. Jordan passed away at a Dallas hospice from kidney failure, according to his son David.
The Cowboys announced Jordan’s death Saturday without initially providing details about when he died or the cause of death. Jordan spent his entire 14-year NFL career with Dallas from 1963 to 1976, becoming the undisputed leader of the team’s famous defensive unit that carried the Cowboys to championship glory.
Jordan was instrumental in the Cowboys’ breakthrough Super Bowl VI victory, a 24-3 triumph over the Miami Dolphins following the 1971 season. He retired in 1976, one year before Dallas captured its second championship. During his tenure, the team made the playoffs 10 times, appeared in two NFL Championship Games, and three Super Bowls.
A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro selection, Jordan became the first player inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor by owner Jerry Jones in 1989. He retired with 1,236 team-credited tackles, a franchise record that stood for 26 years until safety Darren Woodson broke the mark in 2002 with 1,350 tackles.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised Jordan’s impact in a statement, noting that Jordan indicated “With fearless instincts, leadership and relentless work ethic, Jordan was the embodiment of the Cowboys’ spirit.” Jones added that Jordan’s commitment to his community was the centerpiece of his life after retiring in 1976.
Before his professional career, Jordan established himself as one of college football’s premier defenders at the University of Alabama under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. He was the defensive leader on Alabama’s 1961 national championship team and earned unanimous All-American honors in 1962, finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Jordan carved a permanent place in Alabama lore with 31 tackles in the Crimson Tide’s 17-0 victory over Oklahoma in the 1963 Orange Bowl. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and was Alabama’s oldest-living All-American at the time of his death.
The Cowboys selected Jordan with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 1963 NFL Draft. Playing middle linebacker for most of his career, he became known for his relentless preparation and demanding leadership style that elevated his teammates’ performance. Jordan made 154 consecutive starts at middle linebacker during a 12-year period.
According to Pro Football Reference, Jordan is one of only five linebackers in NFL history with at least 30 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. He recorded three interceptions in one game against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 4, 1973, returning one for a touchdown. Though sacks weren’t an official statistic during his era, he is credited with 19.5 career sacks.
Jordan’s career was marked by the Cowboys’ journey from perennial bridesmaids to champions. The team earned the nickname “next year’s champions” after the famous “Ice Bowl” loss to Green Bay in 1967. Dallas suffered another heartbreaking defeat to the Baltimore Colts on a last-second field goal in Super Bowl V before finally breaking through the following year.
The breakthrough came with a linebacking crew led by Jordan and Chuck Howley, along with defensive tackle Bob Lilly, whose 29-yard sack of quarterback Bob Griese became the signature play in the Super Bowl victory. Jordan served as what coach Tom Landry described as “a head coach of the defense.”
Born and raised on a farm in Excel, Alabama, Jordan was the fourth of seven children in a family without electricity. His discovery by Alabama assistant coach Jerry Claiborne was largely by chance, as Claiborne was initially scouting another player. Despite not being particularly big or fast at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Jordan’s quick first steps and preparation made him one of the most effective middle linebackers of his era.
After retiring from football, Jordan opened Lee Roy Jordan Lumber and remained active in his community. He had been in good health until recently, when he began experiencing dementia, likely tied to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to his son. Jordan and his wife Biddie raised their three sons in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, where many Cowboys players lived during the team’s early years.
A memorial service will be held on September 19 at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas. Jordan’s legacy lives on as a model of dedication, integrity, and toughness for the Cowboys franchise and the broader football community.
