Neill Armstrong

Neill Armstrong, a native of Tishomingo, was a football All-American at Oklahoma State University (A&M) and led the nation in pass receptions in 1943 and 1946.

Armstrong was an All-American Honorable Mention from 1943-1945, before being named to the All-American squad in 1946.

At OSU, he lettered in three different sports: football, 1943-1946; track, 1943-1946, and basketball, 1944. As a track hurdler, he was the Texas Relays champion in the high hurdles.

After graduation, Armstrong was the number one draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. He played on two National Football League championship teams in five seasons (1947-51) with the Eagles. He was a two-time All-Star in three years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1951, 1953, 1954) of the Canadian Football League.

After his playing days concluded, Armstrong served as an assistant football coach at Oklahoma State from 1955-1962. He joined the Houston Oilers coaching staff in 1962. Armstrong led Edmonton to the Canadian Football League playoffs three times during a six-year reign as head coach. He compiled a 30-34 record in four seasons (1978-1981) as head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Before joining the Bears, he was an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings for nine years, seven as defensive coordinator.

Armstrong now studies and evaluates all players and teams in the National Football League. His reports provide the basis for the formulation of the Dallas Cowboys' game plans. He joined the Cowboys in 1982.