Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Founder Dee Brock Passes Away

Texas is mourning the loss of the lady who gave us the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

The Squad That Is Every Little Girl's Dream

I was not born in Texas. I am one of those who got here as fast as I could. Even though I grew up in south Louisiana, as a kid, I wanted to be a part of a legenary team of ladies: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I was a kid when the Cheerleaders went viral (by 1970's standards). I remember seeing them on "The Love Boat" and many other television shows in the late 1970's and I was determined to make the squad when I was older. The closest I got was Captain of the Zachary High School Rifle Corps.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Founding Director Dee Brock Passes Away

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization is mourning the loss of its founding director, Dee Brock, whose transformed NFL entertainment and launched a global pop-culture phenomenon. The team officially confirmed the Tyler, Texas native's passing on Wednesday, September 23, paying tribute to the visionary who built the gold standard for professional sports cheerleading.

The Origins of a National Icon

Brock’s pivotal role in sports history began during the 1960s when legendary Dallas Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm asked her to put together a performance group to energize gameday crowds. Her initial enterprise featured male and female performers known as the "CowBelles & Beaux," who took the field in classic white button-down shirts.

The Big Change in Direction for the Cheerleaders

Following the Cowboy's Super Bowl V appearance in 1971, Brock spearheaded a complete reinvention of the squad, laying out the groundwork for the modern Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She redesigned the team's uniform and the world loved it.

Signature Style: The iconic ensemble featured cropped blue blouses tied with a front bow, white fringe waistcoats, white shorts, a custom belt with 15-star emblems, and classic white Western boots.

Cultural Landmark: The uniform proved so influential in American entertainment history that a replica was eventually enshrined at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

An Enduring Legacy on and Off the Field

Under Brock's early guidance, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders evolved into media darlings, expanding their reach far beyond Texas borders into national television specials, international USO tours, and extensive charitable outreach.