Don Perkins

Donald Anthony Perkins (March 4, 1938 – June 9, 2022) was an American professional football player who played fullback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. Born in Waterloo, Iowa, he was raised in the segregated part of the city and attended Waterloo West High School, where he earned eight letters, four each in football and track as a sprinter, and also played basketball. He captained the track team as a junior. In 1955 his football team went undefeated, and Perkins, playing both offense and defense, was selected first-team All-State as a halfback. An African American, he was elected president of the student body during his senior year, an unusual distinction at a barely integrated school.

Perkins played college football at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque from 1957 to 1959, lining up as a two-way player at halfback and defensive back. He was named second-team All-Skyline Conference as a sophomore in 1957 and earned first-team All-Skyline Conference honors in both 1958 and 1959. He was also recognized as the Skyline Sophomore of the Year. He later turned professional as a fullback with the Dallas Cowboys.