Cowboys Super Bowl Guard, Pro Bowler John Niland Dies

John Niland, a former Dallas Cowboys guard and Pro Bowler, passed away at his home in McKinney, Texas, on August 15, 2026, at the age of 82. Niland's death was confirmed by his family, who announced that his brain would be donated to the Boston University CTE Center for research. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Niland's football career began at Amityville Memorial High School, where he was recognized as an All-State fullback. He went on to play college football for the University of Iowa on a football scholarship, starting as a fullback before transitioning to the offensive line. Niland earned All-American honors in 1965, following a strong sophomore season. His exceptional performance earned him second-team All-American honors in 1964.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Niland as the fifth overall pick in the 1966 NFL Draft. He was the first offensive lineman chosen in the first round by the franchise. Over his nine-year career, Niland primarily played left guard, contributing significantly to the team's running game with his strength and pulling ability. He started in both the 1966 and 1967 NFL Championship Games, though Dallas lost both to Green Bay.

Niland made six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1968 to 1973 and was named an All-Pro three times. He played an integral role in Dallas' two NFC championship victories and their first-ever Super Bowl title in Super Bowl VI.

After retiring from the Cowboys in 1974, Niland was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in September 1975, where he played 13 games in his final season before a knee injury ended his playing career. He finished his NFL career with 138 games, including 124 starts. Niland's dedication to football extended beyond his playing days, as he was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.