In Memoriam: Texas Sports Icons We Lost In 2015

Eddie LeBaron, 85

The former Marine, twice wounded in the Korean War, became the first starting quarterback for the expansion Dallas Cowboys in 1960. He also scored the Cowboys' first-ever touchdown in their first exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers. He set a record for the shortest touchdown pass in league history, with his throw to receiver Dick Bielski from the 2-inch line against the Redskins on October 9, 1960.

Ernie Banks, 83

"Mr. Cub" was born in Dallas, TX in 1931. He attended Booker T. Washington High School and lettered in football, basketball & track. His school did not have a baseball team, so he played fast pitch softball for a local church. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Banks played in the Negro Leagues & part-time with the Harlem Globetrotters. He eventually made it to the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs, where he was a 14X All-Star & 2X NL MVP. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

Roy Tarpley, 50

The 6'11'' power forward was drafted in the first round, #7 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1986 NBA draft. Tarpley made the NBA All-Rookie Team in his first season, and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award the following year, when he averaged 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Jethro Pugh, 70

The 14 year Dallas Cowboys tackle was a mainstay of the "Doomsday Defense" that played in four Super Bowls, winning two. Sacks were not officially a NFL statistic during his playing career, but he is unofficially credited with 95.5 sacks which currently ranks sixth all-time for the Cowboys.

Milo Hamilton, 88

Hamilton called play-by-play for seven different clubs since 1953. His longest tenure with one team was with the Houston Astros from 1985-2012. He is best known for his call of Hank Aaron's record breaking of Babe Ruth's home run record of 715 home runs in 1974.

Hamilton was also known for his catch phrase "Holy Toledo, what a play!".

Moses Malone, 60

The 6'11'' center won two MVP's during his tenure with the Houston Rockets. He also led Houston to the finals in 1981 before leaving to Philadelphia in free agency in 1982.

Malone is a 13X All-Star(1 ABA, 12 NBA), Basketball Hall of Famer & has his number retired by the Houston Rockets.

John David Crow, 79

Texas A&M's first Heisman Trophy winner was a standout player who played both sides of the ball. Coach Bear Bryant famously quipped, “If John David Crow doesn’t win the Heisman Trophy, they ought to stop giving it.”.

Crow won the Heisman & went on to play 11 seasons in pro football with the Chicago Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. He still holds the record for more completed passes than any other non-quarterback in history, with 33 completions, including five touchdowns.

Guy Lewis, 93

Lewis led his alma mater, the University of Houston, to two Final Fours in 30 years. His '80's squads "Phi Slamma Jamma" which consisted of stars Hakeem Olajuwon & Clyde Drexler was NCAA runner-up twice.

Bevo XIV

The beloved Texas Longhorns mascot began his tenure in 2004. He was part of back-to back Rose Bowls with the latter being the National Championship in 2005. Bevo XIV was also part of the second inauguration of President George W. Bush