Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Tex Schramm

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football Executive
Statistics: 2 Super Bowls (VI & XII)
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
Tex Schramm was an executive for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947 to 1956, but when your birth name is "Texas" (although he was born in California), you assume you will arrive in the Lone Star State. When it became clear that the NFL was going to expand in Dallas, Schramm lobbied to become their general manager. Through his connections, he got his wish, and the Dallas Cowboys were better because of it.

Two of Schramm's early hires were head coach Tom Landry and chief scout Gil Brandt. Both Landry and Brandt became Hall of Famers, but Schramm had his own contributions to make.

Schramm had a vision not just for the Dallas Cowboys but for all of the NFL. The Cowboys became "America's Team" and went to five Super Bowls, winning two while Schramm was their top executive. Schramm was a large part of labor negotiations across the league, and he was an advocate of cosmetic changes to the sport, such as instant replay, referee's microphones, and the 30-second clock between plays.

You can argue that much of the “look” of the NFL came from Schramm.

We are proud to nominate Tex Schramm for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.