Mike Gaechter, a former Cowboys player during the early years of the franchise, died Monday of heart failure at his home in Dallas.
He was 75.
Gaechter is survived by his wife, Cheri, his daughter, Katherine Rea, and three brothers — Paul Anthony, William and Mark. A funeral mass at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell and services at Restland Funeral Home are pending.
A defensive back, Gaechter appeared in 108 games during an NFL career that spanned eight seasons from 1962 to 1969. His name remains etched in the team’s record books after he ran back an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in a 1962 victory over Philadelphia that also featured a 101-yard kickoff return by Dallas’ Amos Marsh.