Cowboys legend John Niland's brain donated to CTE research after death at 82

John Niland, a foundational figure in Dallas Cowboys history, passed away on August 15, 2026, at his home in McKinney, Texas, at the age of 82. His death was announced through a post on his Facebook page and confirmed by his family's social media accounts. The family has chosen to donate his brain to the Boston University CTE Center for research, a decision that underscores the growing awareness and concern about chronic traumatic encephalopathy among former professional football players. No cause of death was immediately released.

Niland's path to professional football began in Amityville, New York, where he was an All-State fullback at Amityville Memorial High School. His talent earned him a football scholarship to the University of Iowa, a program where he would initially play fullback before a pivotal position change to the offensive line. This switch proved to be a masterstroke, as Niland developed into a dominant force at guard. He earned second-team All-American honors in 1964 and ascended to first-team All-American status in 1965. His collegiate legacy was cemented with his induction into the University of Iowa's all-time team and its athletics hall of fame.

The Dallas Cowboys recognized Niland's potential, selecting him with the fifth overall pick in the 1966 NFL Draft. This selection was historic, making him the first offensive lineman in franchise history to be chosen in the first round. The Cowboys deployed him primarily at left guard, where his exceptional pulling ability and raw strength became a cornerstone of the team's running game. His arrival coincided with the franchise's transformation from an also-ran into a perennial NFL contender. Niland was a key protector and run-blocker during the late 1960s, a period that saw Dallas reach two NFL Championship games, both of which were hard-fought losses to the Green Bay Packers.

The pinnacle of Niland's career came in the early 1970s when the Cowboys' persistent efforts finally broke through. He was an integral part of the team that won two NFC championships and, most importantly, captured Super Bowl VI, the first Super Bowl title in Dallas Cowboys history. Niland remained a stalwart on the Cowboys' offensive line through the 1974 season. In September 1975, his tenure in Dallas ended when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round draft pick. He started 13 games for the Eagles that year, but a knee injury suffered during training camp the following season ultimately forced him to retire. Over his accomplished career, Niland played in 138 NFL games, starting 124 of them.