Tom Landry, the Dallas Cowboys coach who led "America's Team" to 5 Superbowls and was famous for pacing the sidelines in a business suit, a felt hat, and without a smile, died Saturday, February 12, 2000.

He coached the Cowboys for their first 29 years, won 2 Super Bowls with star quartgerback Roger Staubach. With 270 victories, Tom ranked among the leading coaches in the NFL. He made his mark through innovations in offense and defense and considered them his greatest contributition to the game.

Thomas Wade Landry was born in Mission, Texas, deep in the Rio Grande Valley. After one semester of college, he joined the Army Air Corps and spent 2 years as a bomber pilot in WWII. He flew 30 combat missions and survived a crash landing.

In 1990 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and in 1993 inducted into the team's "Ring of Honor" at Texas Stadium. Instead of a jersey number, a tiny hat, like the one he wore at the games, hangs next to his name and the years 1960-88.

Landry spent his final years devoted to business endeavors, including being a spokesman for a health insurance company and Christian organizations.

Tom Landry is survived by his wife Alicia Landry, son Tom Landry Jr. and daughter Kitty Phillips.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributation Tom Landry made to the world of sports, and the Landry surname. God bless him and may he rest in peace.