This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
Cowboys Super Bowl Guard, Pro Bowler John Niland Dies
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. John Niland, the powerful guard who helped establish the Dallas Cowboys as an NFL contender in the late 1960s and early 1970s, died Saturday at his home in McKinney, Texas. He was 82.
Niland's death was announced in a post to his Facebook page, and on the social media accounts of his family.
“On August 15, 2026 at 7:20am, John Niland of Amityville, New York passed away in his home in McKinney, Texas with his family,” the post read.
Niland's family said his brain will be donated to the Boston University CTE Center for research. A cause of death was not announced.
Niland starred at Amityville Memorial High School, where he was an All-State fullback. He went to the University of Iowa on a football scholarship and began his college career at fullback before moving to the offensive line. He became an All-American guard in 1965 after earning second-team honors the previous season. Iowa later named him to its all-time team and inducted him into its athletics hall of fame.
More news: Member of the Original AFL Jets and Patriots Dies at 90
The Cowboys selected Niland fifth overall in the 1966 NFL Draft. He became the first offensive lineman in franchise history chosen in the first round. Dallas used him primarily at left guard, where his pulling ability and strength made him an important part of the running game.
Niland started as a rookie in the 1966 NFL Championship Game and again in the 1967 championship, the game remembered as the "Ice Bowl." Both games ended in Green Bay victories.
More news : Former Dolphins Running Back, 3-Year NFL Veteran Dies
Dallas reached another level during Niland’s tenure. He made six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1968-73 and was named All-Pro three times. He played on the Cowboys teams that won two NFC championships and captured Super Bowl VI, Dallas’ first Super Bowl title.
Niland remained with Dallas through the 1974 season. He was traded to Philadelphia in September 1975 for a third-round draft pick and started 13 games for the Eagles that season. A knee injury during training camp the following year ended his playing career. He finished with 138 NFL games, including 124 starts.
His honors continued after football. Niland entered the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
