The Dallas Boys (SMU Scandal): Where Are They Now?

"The Dallas Boys" refers to the SMU Mustangs football players of the early 1980s at the center of the "Death Penalty" scandal — the only NCAA football program ever shut down (1987 season canceled, 1988 home games forfeited).

Key Figures: Then & Now

Eric Dickerson (RB)

Then: All-American, 2,000+ yd rusher, central to pay-for-play allegations (denied knowledge).
Now: NFL Hall of Famer (11 seasons, 13,259 yds, single-season record 2,105). Sports analyst, entrepreneur, philanthropist. Successful businessman; runs Eric Dickerson Foundation.

Craig James (RB)

Then: Dickerson's backfield mate, also implicated.
Now: Modest NFL career (NE, Wash, 5 yrs). ESPN analyst (controversial). 2012 independent Senate run (TX) — lost. Radio host. Publicly acknowledged receiving benefits.

Jerry Jones (Booster/Owner)

Then: Oil wildcatter, major SMU booster, close to coaches/players.
Now: Dallas Cowboys owner since 1989. 3 Super Bowls (90s). NFL's most valuable franchise ($10B+). Navigated scandal unscathed; leveraged connections into empire.

Ron Meyer (Head Coach)

Then: Coach 1976–1986; knew of violations, pressured to resign 1986.
Now: CFL coach (Toronto, Hamilton), college AD roles. Low profile recently. Died 2023.

Robbie Turner (Whistleblower)

Then: Walk-on TE; secretly recorded coaches/boosters; went to NCAA.
Now: Financial entrepreneur. Speaks on ethics, whistleblowing. "I'd do it again."

The Scandal's Legacy

• NCAA "Death Penalty" (1987) — program canceled, scholarships cut, recruiting banned.
• SMU didn't return to bowl game until 2009; first winning season 2010.
• Reforms: stricter enforcement, compliance staffs, NIL (2021) partly a response to underground economy.

The Dallas Boys were talented athletes caught in a corrupt system. Some thrived; some stumbled; one blew the whistle. The scandal reshaped college sports forever.