A six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl VI champion, the legendary Iowa product anchored the Dallas offensive line for nearly a decade during the franchise's golden era.
FRISCO - Former Dallas Cowboys standout John Niland passed away over the weekend in McKinney, Texas, his family announced on Sunday.
Niland was 82.
The Cowboys selected Niland fifth overall in the 1966 NFL draft out of the University of Iowa.
He signed with the Cowboys and became an institution at guard, and played nine of his 10 NFL seasons in Dallas.
Niland earned six Pro Bowls berths and was an All-Pro honoree on three occasions. His time in Dallas spanned a key era as he played in the 1967 Ice Bowl against the Packers and was the starting left guard in Super Bowl VI when the Cowboys won their first championship.
Niland was an iron man of sorts, as he made 111 starts in 124 games over nine seasons with Dallas. He played one season for the Eagles before retiring after the 1975 season.
Long-time Cowboys voice Brad Sham wrote on X, "Saddened to see reports of the passing of former Cowboys guard John Niland. Knew John well in his early '70s heydays when he was a 3 time all pro and 6 time Pro Bowler. Key part of SB VII champs. Overcame difficulties and lived a purposeful life.''
Niland's daughter Haven tells the Dallas News that her father's health problems created "hardships'' for the family.
“I can't remember a time when it didn't impact our life,” Haven told the paper. “It was a continuous discussion of, 'Dad's got doctor's appointments.”
She said her father underwent numerous operations, including double knee and double shoulder replacements, that he later developed a staph infection in his spine and that he also dealt with mouth cancer.
The also family believes chronic traumatic encephalopathy may have contributed to his struggles.
“We experienced a lot of hardships as a family,” she said. “He was often confused later in life or angry for reasons he didn't understand. We knew it was the CTE. We know it.”
Indeed, in a 2018 interview for Pro Players Business Network, Niland detailed what football had done to him later in life.
“You sacrifice your entire body,” he said. “It’s not a matter of if you get hurt, you’re going to get hurt… I can’t remember things but I can walk and talk; I can’t run across my bedroom … I have no stability in my legs anymore.”
But Haven also shared the positive memories.
“He was so wonderful,'' she told the News. "I mean, he was really bigger than life. He taught me so many amazing things. I was talking to my sister [Saturday]. He taught me nothing is that serious. The things that really matter are family and your faith and just being kind to other people. I think that’s really exemplified.”
The family says Niland's brain will be donated to CTE study.
Niland was inducted into the Hawkeyes’ Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
He is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Shaughn, and his two daughters, Jordan and Haven.
