RB played 14 years in NFL before getting into sports marketing
12:14 AM CDT on Monday, September 25, 2006
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys were idle Sunday, which meant former Preston Pearson had to find an alternative way to kill a few hours.
The former Cowboys running back enjoys spending time with his family, particularly his two grandchildren. He also enjoys watching other NFL teams play on Sundays. But when the Cowboys are a part of television's featured entertainment, he admits to becoming a "Cowboys homer."
"Mean Joe Greene lives in the area, and he's still a Pittsburgh fan. Why shouldn't I be a Cowboy fan?" said Pearson, the president of Pro-Style Associates, a sports marketing, promotion and management firm in North Dallas.
Pearson credits players such as Rayfield Wright, Bob Hayes, Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones for setting the Cowboys' winning standard and making the team a sports icon. Not once, however, does he mention himself in that same category, even though his 14-year career - six seasons in Dallas - was far from unsuccessful.
Pearson, 61, was the NFL's first player to participate in five Super Bowls, doing so with three different teams. He played with the Baltimore Colts (1967-69) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1970-74) before playing with the Cowboys from 1975-80. He won Super Bowl rings in 1974 and 1977 and retired in 1981.
Pearson has been working with Pro-Style Associates for more than 25 years. The company specializes in booking sports celebrities for events such as conventions, luncheons, speaking engagements and autograph and endorsement sessions.
"I'm continuing to make a living in athletics. With that comes enjoyment," Pearson said.
Pearson made a living on the field as a reliable third-down back for the Cowboys. His career stats include 3,609 rushing yards, 3,095 receiving yards and 2,801 kickoff return yards. Never playing a down of college football made Pearson's career that much more impressive.
Pearson was a three-year letter-winner in basketball at Illinois. He had an interest in playing basketball professionally, but his athleticism and speed caught the attention of NFL recruiters. The Colts and coach Don Shula gambled in drafting Pearson in the 12th round in 1967.
Before becoming president of a Dallas sports marketing company, Preston Pearson played in five Super Bowls. He won rings with the Steelers in Super Bowl X and the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.
"To come from those odds, a basketball player making a football team with all that talent, that was unbelievable," Pearson said. "Just being able to last 14 years is a tremendous honor for me."
Following retirement, Pearson balanced Pro-Style Associates with sports announcing and radio broadcasting. He also wrote a book titled Hearing the Noise: My Life in the NFL.
Pearson is active with the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the Dallas YMCA. He also has worked voluntarily with the South Oak Cliff Boxing Club.
"When I do dealings with him, it's always for the community. It's never about money," said Lester Bedford, a boxing event marketing specialist who has known Pearson for roughly 15 years.
"I get so many calls from people trying to sell me something. With him, it's never that. It's always him offering his help, and he does it because he's a good guy."
As a fan or a volunteer coach, boxing is at top of his list
Preston Pearson, an avid boxing fan, smiled as he recalled meeting Muhammad Ali. It was at a memorabilia show in New York, and Ali's appearance stood out over all the other revered athletes present.
"When he came in, all the biggies - Marino, Aikman, Bill Parcells - turned their heads," Pearson said. "Everyone wanted to get a picture with 'the man,' including myself. It was heartwarming."
Pearson's love for boxing is just as strong as his love for football. When Evander Holyfield prepared for his Aug. 18 fight in Dallas, Pearson was at the first news conference.
Pearson also said he enjoys volunteering for the South Oak Cliff Boxing Club, where works with young boxers.
"I just appreciate the artistic style of boxing in its purest form," Pearson said. "It's fascinating to me that people can be six inches apart and one can make the other guy miss."
PRESTON PEARSON
Born: Jan. 17, 1945
Hometown: Freeport, Ill.
Residence: Dallas
Family: Two sons, Greg (36) and Matt (33)
Notable: Pearson designed and marketed the original Cowboys bandana that was introduced during the 1979 season. ... He enjoys playing golf and fishing.
Did you know? Pearson was the Colts' 12th-round pick in 1967. The Colts also had the No. 1 overall pick that year and selected Bubba Smith.
Quotable: "Anytime you can get noticed and you're in your 60s and beyond, especially with the background of athletes today, you've got to say you're pretty blessed."
________________________________________
Online at:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/misc/where/stories/09...
12:14 AM CDT on Monday, September 25, 2006
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys were idle Sunday, which meant former Preston Pearson had to find an alternative way to kill a few hours.
The former Cowboys running back enjoys spending time with his family, particularly his two grandchildren. He also enjoys watching other NFL teams play on Sundays. But when the Cowboys are a part of television's featured entertainment, he admits to becoming a "Cowboys homer."
"Mean Joe Greene lives in the area, and he's still a Pittsburgh fan. Why shouldn't I be a Cowboy fan?" said Pearson, the president of Pro-Style Associates, a sports marketing, promotion and management firm in North Dallas.
Pearson credits players such as Rayfield Wright, Bob Hayes, Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones for setting the Cowboys' winning standard and making the team a sports icon. Not once, however, does he mention himself in that same category, even though his 14-year career - six seasons in Dallas - was far from unsuccessful.
Pearson, 61, was the NFL's first player to participate in five Super Bowls, doing so with three different teams. He played with the Baltimore Colts (1967-69) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1970-74) before playing with the Cowboys from 1975-80. He won Super Bowl rings in 1974 and 1977 and retired in 1981.
Pearson has been working with Pro-Style Associates for more than 25 years. The company specializes in booking sports celebrities for events such as conventions, luncheons, speaking engagements and autograph and endorsement sessions.
"I'm continuing to make a living in athletics. With that comes enjoyment," Pearson said.
Pearson made a living on the field as a reliable third-down back for the Cowboys. His career stats include 3,609 rushing yards, 3,095 receiving yards and 2,801 kickoff return yards. Never playing a down of college football made Pearson's career that much more impressive.
Pearson was a three-year letter-winner in basketball at Illinois. He had an interest in playing basketball professionally, but his athleticism and speed caught the attention of NFL recruiters. The Colts and coach Don Shula gambled in drafting Pearson in the 12th round in 1967.
Before becoming president of a Dallas sports marketing company, Preston Pearson played in five Super Bowls. He won rings with the Steelers in Super Bowl X and the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.
"To come from those odds, a basketball player making a football team with all that talent, that was unbelievable," Pearson said. "Just being able to last 14 years is a tremendous honor for me."
Following retirement, Pearson balanced Pro-Style Associates with sports announcing and radio broadcasting. He also wrote a book titled Hearing the Noise: My Life in the NFL.
Pearson is active with the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the Dallas YMCA. He also has worked voluntarily with the South Oak Cliff Boxing Club.
"When I do dealings with him, it's always for the community. It's never about money," said Lester Bedford, a boxing event marketing specialist who has known Pearson for roughly 15 years.
"I get so many calls from people trying to sell me something. With him, it's never that. It's always him offering his help, and he does it because he's a good guy."
As a fan or a volunteer coach, boxing is at top of his list
Preston Pearson, an avid boxing fan, smiled as he recalled meeting Muhammad Ali. It was at a memorabilia show in New York, and Ali's appearance stood out over all the other revered athletes present.
"When he came in, all the biggies - Marino, Aikman, Bill Parcells - turned their heads," Pearson said. "Everyone wanted to get a picture with 'the man,' including myself. It was heartwarming."
Pearson's love for boxing is just as strong as his love for football. When Evander Holyfield prepared for his Aug. 18 fight in Dallas, Pearson was at the first news conference.
Pearson also said he enjoys volunteering for the South Oak Cliff Boxing Club, where works with young boxers.
"I just appreciate the artistic style of boxing in its purest form," Pearson said. "It's fascinating to me that people can be six inches apart and one can make the other guy miss."
PRESTON PEARSON
Born: Jan. 17, 1945
Hometown: Freeport, Ill.
Residence: Dallas
Family: Two sons, Greg (36) and Matt (33)
Notable: Pearson designed and marketed the original Cowboys bandana that was introduced during the 1979 season. ... He enjoys playing golf and fishing.
Did you know? Pearson was the Colts' 12th-round pick in 1967. The Colts also had the No. 1 overall pick that year and selected Bubba Smith.
Quotable: "Anytime you can get noticed and you're in your 60s and beyond, especially with the background of athletes today, you've got to say you're pretty blessed."
________________________________________
Online at:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/misc/where/stories/09...
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