Cowboys legend John Niland, who won franchise's first Super Bowl, dies at 82

Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Former All-Pro guard John Niland, who helped the Dallas Cowboys win their first Super Bowl, has died, the franchise announced Monday. Niland's family said he died Saturday in McKinney, Texas. He was 82. The Niland family did not provide a cause of death, but said his brain will be donated to the Boston University CTE Center to be studied and "shed light on the effects of professional sports on the human body." "The Dallas Cowboys mourn the passing of John Niland," the Cowboys said. "An All-Pro guard, John was at the core of Tom Landry's greatest teams and a Super Bowl champion. "A tough, dedicated, team-first player that battled relentlessly on the line and represented excellence in every way. We send our condolences to his family and loved ones." Niland joined the Cowboys as the No. 5 overall pick in the 1966 NFL Draft. He appeared in 124 games for the Cowboys from 1966 through 1974, including 14 during their Super Bowl winning 1971-72 campaign. He joined Hall of Fame tackle Rayfield Wright on the Cowboys' offensive line during their first Super Bowl winning season. Niland spent the 1975 campaign, his final year in the NFL, with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro. Niland is survived by his wife, Shaughn, and daughters Jordan and Haven.