FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2003

HALL OF FAMER TEX SCHRAMM DIES AT AGE 83

             STATEMENT FROM NFL COMMISSIONER PAUL TAGLIABUE:

             “His name was Texas and he led the Cowboys, but the NFL family has lost one of its giants.  Tex Schramm was one of the visionary leaders in sports history -- a thinker, doer, innovator and winner with few equals.  He played a major role in building the NFL into America’s passion by developing a glamour franchise with national appeal and by his leadership on so many league issues.  As Commissioner, I have benefited greatly from what Tex had a big hand in creating. Personally, I am mourning the loss of a friend of three decades.”

             STATEMENT FROM NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GENE UPSHAW:

             “We were on opposite sides of the negotiating table and he was always firm in his beliefs, but Tex and I had great respect for each other.  He was a competitor and loved to argue, but he had a lot of class and you always knew he was trying to do what was best for the NFL.  He played a big part in getting us to where we are today.”