Former Dallas Cowboys defensive star Don Smerek died last week after a battle with cancer. He was 66 years old.
Smerek played college football at Nevada. After going undrafted, Smerek eventually signed with the Cowboys in 1981. The defensive lineman spent seven seasons with the franchise, playing in 69 games.
He finished his career in Dallas with 14.5 sacks.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Don Smerek #60 looks on from the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium on December 8, 1985 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Cowboys 50-24. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
“He was a great teammate, a great person,” said Hall of Famer and former Cowboys standout Randy White. “He was just solid as a football player and I can always count on him. He would come on third downs and rush the passer and what Don had as a football player was that he was 100 percent.”
FORMER COWBOYS STAR LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, 28, RETIRES FROM NFL AFTER SEVERAL NECK INJURIES
White also recalled that he often went fishing with Smerek.
“A great teammate who played football and we became great friends off the field. He used to be my fishing buddy and we used to go fishing and all the things that come with that.”
Detailed view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet and game ball before an NFL Wild Card Playoff football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas . (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Smerek is a Nevada native who moved to Texas after retiring from the NFL. Smerek's sister, Debbie Nye, spoke about her brother's “magnetic personality.”
“His teammates are lifelong friends, even from high school, college and the NFL,” Nye said via The Dallas Morning News. “There are still all those people who were practically next to him. He was an extraordinary individual, a very magnetic personality.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The family will honor Smerek's life at a private memorial service expected to take place later this month in Henderson, Nevada. Smerek is survived by his wife, Tandi, his three brothers, his sister, and several nieces and nephews.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
