The Don Meredith Exhibit at the Old Depot Museum

In the Old Depot Museum, 201 S. Kaufman, Mt. Vernon, Texas, you will find a remarkable exhibit of sports memoribilia related to the life and career of home-town boy and pro-football legend Don Meredith.  Museum hours are 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday, and you can call 903-537-7012 to see the exhibit by appointment on Sunday and Monday and at other times. 

Below are a few photos and a biographical sketch of Joe Donald Meredith.

It has been said that in everyone's heart, there is a small town. The small town in Don Meredith's heart has always been Mount Vernon, Texas.  Although Don left his childhood home many years ago to pursue his dreams, he always held his small town values as his spiritual compass. He's been heard to say, "I never had a burning desire to be anyone thing other than to be the best Don Meredith I could be."

On April 10, 1938, Don was born in Mount Vernon, Texas, to Jeff and Hazel Meredith. Billy Jack, their first born was 5.  Jeff Meredith began his career at the Parchman's Dry Goods Store on the town square, and eventually he owned and operated it as Meredith Dry Goods. He was a hard worker, always in jacket and tie, and reminded many of Clark Gable with his good looks. Hazel, with warm and twinkling blue eyes, was a devoted and loving mother. She had one of the first women's athletic college scholarships in East Texas as a basketball player..and helped keep the books for their store, some of which are included in this collection. The humor ran rampant within their home at 616 S. Kaufman Street. Each member of the family had a special way of looking at life. Billy Jack and Don have carried this through their lives and have created so much laughter.

Don's first job was at Meredith Dry Goods. At around the age of 6, he was propped on the counter by the front door and instructed by his dad: "Son, when you see someone come in that door, you greet 'em by their name. Even a dog likes to hear his name. This lesson stuck with Don throughout his travels. He always made others feel their best and always inspired them to be their best.

Billy Jack and Don were both outstanding athletes from early ages. Billy Jack went on to play football at TCU and then entered the business world enjoying tremendous success.  There are many highlights in Don's athletic career, but a favorite happened in 1954. As a high school junior, Don set a record that still stands today by scoring 52 points at the Dr.
Pepper Tournament in Dallas. This put small town Mount Vernon into first place for the whole state of Texas.

In high school, Don's football and basketball coach was the legendary Wayne Pearce.  He said, "Don was probably better in basketball in high school than he was in football. He had the most confidence of anyone I've ever met."

Don went on to be All State in both sports, packing the stadiums wherever the Tigers played. He also was an "A" student, participated in 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Student council, and was part of the Methodist Church Youth Fellowship.  Under the tutelage of Charles Bruce, he performed in a school play . . . and a small seed was planted for later adventures in the film industry.  Don was President of his senior class, and still today, after recently celebrating his 50th high school reunion, is still proudly wearing his Mount Vernon high school ring.

Otto Graham, Don Meredith, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson

In 1956 Don entered Southern Methodist University and was elected freshman class president. He was twice elected an All American and lead the SMU Mustangs to national prominence. While at SMU, Don met the bright and gracious campus beauty queen, Alma Lynne Shamburger of Wichita Falls, Texas. They married and were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Mary.

Following his graduation in 1960, Don signed a personal service contract with Clint Murchison before Murchison even had an NFL franchise. At that time Don would say: "I'm either going to be an NFL Quarterback, or I'm going to law school.

It is well known that he did join Tom Landry's fledgling Dallas Cowboys. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and among many other recognitions, received the Bert Bell award as NFL Player of the Year. During his career, Don passed for over 17,000 yards. He was noted for his outgoing nature, humor, courage, and toughness and retired from the Cowboys in 1969. In 1976 he was inducted into the Texas Stadium Ring of Honor, and the Texas Sports hall of Fame in 1977, followed by his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Don was an original member of the Monday Night Football sportscasting team in 1970 along with Howard Cosell and Keith Jackson. Frank Gifford took over play by play in 1971. Meredith's quick wit and folksy humor, along with his "one on one" verbal confrontations with Cosell, turned him into a household name. He lifted the national morale with his style and down to earth persona. In 1971, Don received an EMMY award for television sportscasting.

During his 12 years on Monday Night Football, Don's frequent stories on the air about Mount Vernon turned his home town into a most recognized community and "Jeff and Hazel's baby boy and Billy Jack's younger brother" was his oft' repeated self-description.

Don spent 3 years broadcasting with Kurt Gowdy and others at NBC. During this time he moved his family to California and expanded his career in the entertainment field. He made some movies, did many Police Story segments, co-hosted The Dinah Shore Show for a year, and enjoyed being a spokesman for companies like Lipton Tea, Nabisco, RJR, and K-Mart: He also had fun with some theatrical productions, including Neil Simon's "Odd Couple" (Don playing Oscar to Frank Gifford's Felix).

Today Don and his wife since 1972, Susan, pictured with him above, live in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Palm Springs, California.  They enjoy supporting charitable causes, celebrating the joys of life with a large nation-wide extended family of endearing friends, children and god-children, and their four dogs.  In 1997, Don and Susan Meredith demonstrated their commitment to the youth of Mount Vernon by establishing the Don Meredith Humanitarian Scholarship in memory of Jeff and Hazel Meredith, whi,ch is in partnership with the Mount Vernon Rotary Scholarship Trust. The recipients are nominated by the senior class at Mount Vernon High School based on character and community commitment. A boy and a girl are awarded financial assistance with their college education each year.

The Don Meredith memorabilia Exhibit was developed to encourage young people to pursue their dreams. As they review the visual mementos of Don's life, it is hoped that they will be encouraged to be "the best they can be."