Gil Brandt (born June 14, 1939) is an American football executive who served as the vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) from 1960 to 1989.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Brandt was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played football as a defensive back. After graduating from UCLA, Brandt served in the United States Army for two years.
In 1960, Brandt was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as a scout. He was promoted to director of player personnel in 1964 and to vice president of player personnel in 1970. During his 29 years with the Cowboys, Brandt was responsible for building one of the most successful teams in NFL history. He helped the Cowboys win five Super Bowls and eight NFC championships.
Brandt is widely regarded as one of the greatest NFL executives of all time. He is known for his keen eye for talent and his ability to build a strong team. He is also known for his outspoken personality and his willingness to take risks.
After leaving the Cowboys, Brandt worked as a football analyst for CBS Sports and Fox Sports. He is also the author of several books, including “The Gil Brandt Guide to Choosing a Winning NFL Team” and “The 32 Greatest Quarterbacks of All Time.”
In 2019, Brandt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is the first NFL executive to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Brandt is married to his wife, Barbara, and they have three children. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
