Iowa Hall of Famer John Niland Passes at 82

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa football All-America offensive lineman John Niland passed away Aug. 15 in McKinney, Texas.  He was 82. 

Niland, who lettered for the Hawkeyes from 1963-65 under Jerry Burns, was a two-time All-America and All-Big Ten selection in 1964 and 1965. He earned first-team honors during his senior season.

Following his senior campaign, Niland played in the East-West Shrine Bowl, Hula Bowl and College All-Star Game before being selected with the fifth overall pick in the 1966 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. 

In conjunction with the 100 years of Iowa football celebration in 1989, Niland was one of five offensive linemen named to the all-time offensive team. He was also selected to the Gannett News Service all-time Iowa football team.

As a professional, Niland was a three-time All-Pro guard in 1969, 1971 and 1972 and made the Pro Bowl six straight years from 1968-73.  He started 111 of 124 games over nine seasons with the Cowboys before playing his final NFL season in Philadelphia in 1975.

Niland was a member of two Super Bowl teams, helping the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl title in 1972.  He was inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, and he is a member of the Cowboys’ All-Time team.