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Don Perkins came to Albuquerque from Waterloo, Iowa, in the fall of 1956, among the first African Americans to play football for the University of New Mexico.
He became one of the most decorated Lobos of all time as a fleet, powerful running back, then went on to an eight-year career with the Dallas Cowboys that earned him a spot in the team’s Ring of Honor.
Through it all, and ever after, he remained steadfast in the belief that being really good with a football tucked under his arm did not make him special.