The 1986 NFL season was one of the most trying for legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. His team finished with a losing record for the first time since 1965, and a frightening incident occurred during one of those losses.

Following the end of the third quarter of a December 7, 1986, Monday Night Football game between the Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams played in Anaheim, California, Landry, surrounded by an entourage of security including an armed police officer, was hurriedly escorted off the field.  All that was known at the time was that the coach had not left because of medical reasons.  Several minutes later, Landry returned to the field to resume coaching, still surrounded by law enforcement and security.

After the game, it was learned that a threat had been made on Landry’s life and that he was wearing a bulletproof vest when he returned to the game midway through the fourth quarter. Reports vary on the exact source of the threat. Some said a man called seven times during the game saying the coach would be shot; others reported a man phoned the stadium twice, saying he feared his mentally ill brother, in attendance at the game, was going to try to kill Landry. These reports also say the caller identified the section number in the stadium where his brother was seated.

In light of the threat, the Cowboys’ 29-10 loss to the Rams seemed insignificant.

Disturbingly, this was not the first time Landry was targeted. The writer of a 1983 letter threated to kills him. Fortunately, no attempt was made on his life in either instance. Unfortunately, in both instances, the person who made the threats was never identified.

Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry Being Escorted Off the Field