The Dallas Cowboys family lost a legend this week when former defensive end Willie Townes passed away at age 74. He passed last Saturday while in hospice care according to DallasNews.com.
Townes is best known for the hit he put on NFL Hall of Famer Bart Starr in the 1967 NFL Championship Game —- known as the "Ice Bowl" —- that caused a fumble and led to the first touchdown of the game for the Cowboys. He was a second-round pick out of Tulsa in 1966 and played three seasons for the Cowboys.
He was then traded to the New Orleans Saints in 1970 where he finished his career. Townes' ex-wife says that he had recently suffered a heart attack and it was later discovered that he had pancreatic cancer as well. The cause of death is unknown at this time and a funeral service has already been held.
Townes is survived by his current wife Kandi and son Willie Townes Jr.
