Gil Brandt, the Pro Football Hall of Famer executive, Dallas Cowboys legend, and one of the architects of “America's Team,” has died at age 91. The innovative vice president of player personnel contributed so much to the game of football, and as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Thursday, he will be “celebrated forever.”

“We are so deeply saddened by the passing of Gil Brandt – a true icon and pioneer of our sport. Gil was at the very core of the early success of the Dallas Cowboys and continued to serve as a great ambassador for the organization for decades beyond that, Jones said in a statement shortly after the news of Brandt’s passing. “His contributions cemented his spot in the Ring of Honor. He was my friend and a mentor not only to me, but to countless executives, coaches, players and broadcasters across the National Football League, which rightfully earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame where his legacy will be celebrated forever.”

On Gil Brandt's path to the Hall fo Fame, he started by working in the NFL as a scout for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s. In 1960, he moved to the Cowboys as one of iconic general manager Tex Schramm’s first hires. Together with Schramm and head coach Tom Landry, Brandt helped build the America's Team squads that would make 18 playoff appearances in 20 years and win two Super Bowls.

Over three decades, Brandt would create, utilize, and pioneer scouting techniques that are still used today. His scouting and evaluation system is still used around the NFL in some forms today, he was the first to use computers in scouting, and he used personality and psychology tests in draft evaluations.

Brandt also looked to find athletes in other sports — specifically track and field — and was adept at finding undrafted free agents from small colleges around the country. Gold medal Olympian Bob Hayes and undrafted free agents Drew Pearson (Tulsa) and Everett Walls (Grambling State) are all examples of this.

And in his last draft before Jerry Jones took over, Brandt would draft HOF WR Michael Irvin and All-Pro LB Ken Norton Jr., who would go on to become two of the leaders of the Cowboys’ early 90s Super Bowl squads.