Hard My Favorite NFL Quarterback Was .. Quiz / Test | Sports

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Every Texan's dream come true. He was born in Texas. Played college ball at SMU. Then for played for (who else!) the Dallas Cowboys. And, he was a dandy of quarterback, too. Who?

Answer: Don Meredith

As unique as his own type of individualism was his entire Texas-based football career. Meredith was born in the small, east Texas town of Mt. Vernon. He excelled at two sports in high school - football and basketball. Hard to believe, but his former high school coach has mentioned that he coached Meredith in both sports and that Meredith was probably better at basketball than football.

2. Although Don Meredith played college ball in Dallas - at Southern Methodist University - he was recruited by the coach at Texas A & M. This coach would go on to make quite a name for himself at another university too. Who?

Answer: Paul "Bear" Bryant

The iconic "Bear" Bryant had such a tremendous career at University of Alabama it is easy to forget he ever coached any other team. He was head (football) coach at Texas A & M (1954-1957) the year Don Meredith graduated high school. Bryant's eye for talent was unparalleled.

Many of his college players have coached, managed and/or played successfully beyond their college career - and, many give Bryant credit for their success.

3. During the years Don Meredith was a member of the SMU Mustangs football team (1956-1960) their school was a member of a now defunct power-house conference. Which one?

Answer: Southwest Conference

The Southwest Conference dissolved in 1996 amid troubles from recruiting scandals and NCAA probations involving several of its members. Southern Methodist University (SMU) was one of those teams. The NCAA issued a deep and wide, debilitating penalty against SMU in 1987 for what was labeled "repeated major violations" of the NCAA's recruiting procedures.

There had been infractions and sanctions involving other teams through the 1980s but this with SMU was the beginning of the end for the Southwest Conference.

4. Don Meredith finished his college football career at Southern Methodist University in the spring of 1960. Which NFL team drafted him?

Answer: Chicago Bears

Don Meredith was actually selected by the Chicago Bears during the third round of the college draft. Then Bears owner, George Halas, was aware that Meredith had signed a personal services contract created by the management team of the Cowboys and agreed to a trade.

The Bears were given what would have been a third round pick for the Cowboys in an upcoming year (1961) for the trade. By the way, Meredith signed this contract with the Cowboys team BEFORE the team was granted a charter by the NFL.

5. Don Meredith is considered to be one of the "original Dallas Cowboys" - because he was a member of the fledgling team in 1960. He was NOT the starting quarterback for this young team. Who was?

Answer: Eddie LeBaron

Eddie LeBaron had been a Pro Bowl caliber player for the Washington Redskins for several seasons when the Cowboys came into the NFL in 1960. As a new franchise, the Cowboys were allowed to pick from "non-protected" players from certain existing NFL teams.

The Cowboys management team grabbed LeBaron very quickly when they noticed his "unprotected" status. Redskins' owners said it had been by mistake that LeBaron's name was left among those eligible to be selected.

6. Although Don Meredith never took the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl, there is one post-season game for which he will always be remembered for being a part of. The game was labeled "The Ice Bowl". Who was the Cowboys' opponent?

Answer: Green Bay Packers

The 1967 NFL Championship game quickly became known as the "Ice Bowl". An easy moniker when the temperature at game time was -15� (F) and the layer of ice covering the field became worse instead better due to a mal-functioning turf heating system. The Super Bowl game was still relatively new (the winner of this game would go on to play in Super Bowl II); so, this game between two perennial rivals drew much interest.

7. Don Meredith was the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys when they played in the 1967 NFL Championship game - aka "The Ice Bowl". In that game Meredith had a running back who would go on to become an NFL coach. Who?

Answer: Dan Reeves

During the Ice Bowl, Dan Reeves was involved in a play that gave the Cowboys the lead early in the fourth quarter. As a running back he (Reeves) passed the ball to wide receiver, Lance Rentzel, resulting in a 50-yard touchdown. When Reeves finished his years playing in the NFL he coached in the NFL for many years. Coaching for the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons.

8. As the starting quarterback, Don Meredith completed the longest pass in the history of the Dallas Cowboys' franchise - a record that would hold (from 1966) for more than forty years. Which player with bullet speed was the recipient of that pass?

Answer: Bob Hayes

Bob Hayes earned the nickname "The Bullet" or "Bullet Bob" after his incredible performances at the 1964 Olympics. During those Olympics, Hayes broke the standing world record for the 100 meter race. For much of his professional football career, Hayes wore the label "world's fastest man".

It was a natural choice for Meredith (or, any quarterback) to toss Hayes the football - if long yards were to be gained.

9. Don Meredith played his entire professional career with the Dallas Cowboys who played their home games in a venue that is no longer regularly used by the NFL as a home field. In what hallowed stadium did Meredith play?

Answer: The Cotton Bowl

The Cotton Bowl opened in 1929 and throughout its existence has hosted many, many important and entertaining events. In addition to the Dallas Cowboys the Cotton Bowl has been the home field for the Dallas Texans (of the NFL) and the SMU Mustangs (NCAA). Professional soccer teams from at least two leagues have called the Cotton Bowl home - including the (then) Dallas Burn, who hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Of course, the Cotton Bowl Classic, an annual NCAA Division I bowl game was played in the Cotton Bowl during the years 1937 through 2009.

10. When his football career ended, Don Meredith proved to be a natural for television. He timing was perfect, too. What long running sports show did he join during its very first year of broadcast?

Answer: Monday Night Football

Don Meredith joined Howard Cosell to do the color commentary work for the show. That first year, Keith Jackson did the play-by-play. The more familiar voice of Frank Gifford joined the team (replacing Jackson) during its second season. Meredith added more than color to his comments.

For example, I was listening one night when a kicker had failed at his attempt to kick a field goal. Meredith described the result for the viewing audience with: "The kick was short. It lacked length and distance." Classic Dandy Don!

Source: Author cowboybluedog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stuthehistoryguy before going online.
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My Favorite NFL Quarterback Was .. Quiz

When I was young my favorite NFL quarterback was .. I have loved the NFL my entire life. I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan since they have been an NFL team. From the early days of the team and their players, one quarterback became a particular favorite.

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