Longtime Cowboys linebacker and two-time Super Bowl champion D.D. Lewis is no longer with us. He passed away on September 16, 2025, at Plano Medical City.
The Mississippi State Football legend is survived by his two daughters, Melna and Victoria, grandson, Jackson, stepson, Brook, and his wife, Diane.
The university announced the sad news on September 17, 2025, and referred to him as one of the most underappreciated players in franchise history. He was 79.
D.D. Lewis was born in Tennessee. He played college football at Mississippi State, where he earned All-American honors and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1967.
The Dallas Cowboys drafted the late linebacker in the sixth round of the 1968 NFL Draft. Lewis played 13 seasons with the team. Interestingly, during his decade-long career with Cowboys, he missed only a few games.
Moreover, the late footballer won two Super Bowls (1972 and 1978), appeared in three others, and played in seven conference championship games.
The former Cowboys linebacker’s major contributions are in the playoffs, including two interceptions in the 1975 NFC Championship that helped Dallas reach the Super Bowl.
In 1984, he was named to the Cowboys’ Silver Anniversary Team. He was also known for his memorable quote about Texas Stadium: “Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch his favorite team play.”
While paying tributes, most of the people are remembering him as one of the most reliable linebackers in the Cowboys’ history.
Apart from his leadership on the field, D.D. Lewis was also a devoted father, loving husband, and grandfather.
D.D. Lewis Was Married To His Second Wife, Diane Lewis, At the Time of His Demise
The longtime Dallas Cowboys linebacker had a large family, which included his wife, two daughters, a stepson, and a grandson.
Lewis exchanged marriage vows with two women in his life. His first marriage was to Margaret. With his first spouse, the late footballer welcomed two daughters, Melna Bourland and Victoria.
At one point, Lewis and his ex-wife, Margaret, resided in Richardson, Texas, along with their two children, where D.D. had a carpet business.
Melna was the one who shared with The Dallas Morning News that he passed away at the Plano Medical City. She also referred to him as “an awesome and best dad”.
“He would be a big jokester, he loved to do pranks on me and my sister, and he loved to laugh, and he was just the best dad anybody could ever have,” said Melna.
His dedication to his family and children is as clear as the day in Melna’s words. He clearly prioritized being present and supportive for his loved ones.
Furthermore, after divorcing Margaret, the footballer married his second wife, Diane Lewis (nee Walters). However, the timeline of his marriage is not publicly mentioned.
It was Diane Walters ‘ as well. She had a son named Brook, whom she shared with her previous partner. After the marriage, Brook became the stepson of Lewis and seemed to have lived together.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Diane Lewis remained married to D.D. Lewis at the time of his passing.
D.D. Lewis and Diane don’t seem to have welcomed any children together.
In Case You Don’t Know
- D.D. Lewis was born in 1945 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the youngest of 14 children in his family.
- Lewis was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
- His full name, Dwight Douglas, was chosen in honor of two famous World War II generals: Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur.
