Dee Brock, the esteemed founding director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, passed away at the age of 96 on September 23. The announcement of her death came from Greg Whiteley, director of the Netflix documentary series “America’s Sweethearts,” who shared the news through social media.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Dee-Brock-092326-1-5dd0d8037e4f437abcd7a1da3e5ac6c5.jpg)
Brock’s legacy extends far beyond her leadership of the cheerleading squad. An accomplished model and educator, she held a PhD in Literature and was instrumental in establishing El Centro College, the first community college in Dallas. Her pioneering efforts began with the cheer squad, which she founded in 1960, and she is particularly remembered for her groundbreaking move to integrate the squad in 1965, a significant step in a city that was still largely segregated at the time.
In a heartfelt tribute, Whiteley reflected on Brock’s remarkable contributions to both the Dallas Cowboys and to cheerleading as a profession. He recalled how she sketched the first DCC uniform on a simple legal notepad, which was later brought to life by designer Paula Van Wagoner and seamstress Leveta Crager. This iconic uniform gained recognition when it was officially added to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in 2018, highlighting its cultural significance.
Brock’s integration of the cheer squad stands as a testament to her relentless spirit and determination. Whiteley described the challenge she faced in convincing Tex Schramm, the Cowboys’ general manager, to accept the idea of an integrated cheer squad—an endeavour she regarded as one of her most challenging achievements. He concluded his tribute by suggesting that if the Cowboys were ever to honour a woman in their Ring of Honour, Dee Brock would be an unparalleled candidate.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organisation also paid tribute to Brock’s memory with a poignant post on social media, stating, “In loving memory of Dee Brock, our founding director. We will forever honour her and her legacy.” Accompanying the heartfelt message was a photograph of Brock alongside Kelli Finglass, the current director of the cheerleaders, showcasing the connection between generations of cheerleaders.
Initially, Brock had relied on high school students using traditional cheers to engage the crowds at Cowboys games. However, her collaboration with Frances Roberson, a local high school drill-team director, led to the introduction of choreographed routines. This development catalysed the squad’s transformation into a global icon, opening the door for their appearances on major television shows including “American Idol,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and “Saturday Night Live,” among others.
Brock’s influence on popular culture extended so far that her work inspired a Barbie doll, further solidifying the squad’s impact. Reflecting on her career during an interview with KETK around the time of her 96th birthday, Brock expressed amazement over the lasting impression she had made, stating, “I hadn’t realised I had made such a good impression. I am so happy about that.”
She continued to express her pride over her initial contributions, noting, “It makes me very proud to know I got it started and they’ve taken it on, and doing a great job. So, I would say just keep on loving the Cowboys, and keep on cheering all you can.”
Brock’s vision and dedication to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have left an indelible mark on the franchise and cheerleading as a whole. Her commitment to inclusivity and innovation transformed a cheerleading squad into a significant cultural phenomenon, earning her a legacy that will resonate for years to come and ensuring that her contributions will not be forgotten.