OU Mourns the Passing of Ralph Neely

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department mourns the loss of former All-America football player Ralph Neely, who died this week at the age of 78.

Neely starred as an offensive tackle for the Sooners and also played as a defensive tackle, lettering from 1962-64. His first two varsity seasons were the last of head coach Bud Wilkinson's OU career, and he played his senior season under head coach Gomer Jones.

From Farmington, N.M., Neely, who stood 6-5 at OU, earned first-team All-America honors in 1963 as a member of the Sooners' 8-2 squad. In 1964, he was named a consensus first-team All-American as OU went 6-4-1 and earned a Gator Bowl berth.

Neely was a second-round pick (28th overall) in the 1965 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. His rights were obtained by the Dallas Cowboys and he played all 13 seasons of his pro career for the organization, starting as an offensive lineman in 168 of the 172 games in which he appeared.

A two-time Pro Bowler (1967-68) and three-time All-Pro selection (1967-69), he played in four Super Bowls and won titles against the Miami Dolphins in 1971 and the Denver Broncos in 1977. The Super Bowl win over Denver marked his final career game.

Neely is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-1960s Team.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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