Jack Eskridge Dies: Dallas Cowboys Logo Creator Passes Away At 89

Jack Eskridge, the creator of the iconic Dallas Cowboys star logo, died Monday at a hospital in Kansas. He was 89.

According to the Cowboys website, Eskridge joined the Cowboys as their first equipment manager in 1959, a year before they started playing games. In addition to taking care of the team’s uniforms and playing equipment, Eskridge took it upon himself to improve upon the team’s logo (at that time just a plate white star), designing the white-bordered blue star that graces every Cowboy’s helmet to this day.

Jack remained with the team until 1973.

Prior to his time with the Cowboys, Eskridge reportedly served as a United States Marine and later played two years of professional basketball.

His obituary notes:

“Jack joined the Marines and witnessed both flag raisings of Iwo Jima during World War II and then went to KU and played basketball. Jack also played two years professional basketball with the Chicago Stags and Indianapolis Jets. After graduation Jack coached the Kansas League Champions at Atchison High. “Phog” Allen recruited Jack to be an Assistant Basketball Coach and equipment manager for KU from 1954-1959, where he recruited Wilt Chamberlain.”

Eskridge spent his later years life as an assistant coach and teacher at Jefferson West High School in Meriden, Kansas.

He is survived by his loving wife Carol, eight kids, and many grandchildren.