At the age of 77, former Dallas Cowboys starting center John Fitzgerald, who played an integral role in the team’s success over the years, passed away on April 14, 2026.

The Dallas Cowboys announced his passing on their official website while paying tribute to the former athlete.

“John Fitzgerald, the man in the middle of the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line throughout most of the 1970s, passed away this morning. He was 77,” it read.

In 1971 and 1977, he was a part of the team that won Super Bowl championships, marking the Cowboys’ first two titles. He joined the team in 1970 as the 101st overall pick, and although he was waived before the start of the season on September 2, he was later added to the practice squad.

The following season, he served as a backup at offensive guard and was later converted to center during training camp, initially backing up Dave Manders before taking over the starting role in 1973, a position he held through 1980.

He missed two games in 1974 due to knee and elbow injuries, but returned to start despite them.

He took on a more unique role in 1975, when legendary Cowboys coach Tom Landry reintroduced the shotgun formation to the NFL, placing his trust in Fitzgerald, a move that helped the team reach 3 Super Bowls over the next 4 seasons.

He helped lead the team to their second Super Bowl victory in 1977, as the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27–10.

Beyond that, his presence helped shape an offense that consistently ranked among the NFL’s top 10 in total yards across eight seasons, including five years in which the unit finished in the top three.

In 1979, the Cowboys’ offensive line, featuring Fitzgerald alongside Pat Donovan, Jim Cooper, Tom Rafferty, and Herb Scott, earned the nickname “Four Irishmen and a Scott,” before he eventually retired in 1982 due to injuries.

Despite his talent, he never earned a Pro Bowl selection, even though he had also been a standout during his college years.

John Fitzgerald’s Standout Collegiate Journey

Before going on to play 137 regular-season games with 109 starts and appear in 19 postseason contests with 13 starts, Fitzgerald had already built an impressive foundation during his college career.

He attended Southbridge High School in Massachusetts, where he played as a 315-pound running back and also competed in shot put.

And after accepting a football scholarship from Boston College, he played as a two-way tackle, contributing on both offense and defense throughout his three-year college career.

Following his retirement from the NFL, Fitzgerald was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Athletic Hall of Fame, a testament to the decorated and impactful life he led.

Thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family during this difficult time.

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Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Kalp Thaker