Nicknamed "Dandy Don", Meredith played his college ball at Southern Methodist University.  Prior to the 1960 NFL draft, he signed a professional services contract with a company owned by Clint Murchison, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys franchise (yet to be named as such).  Although Meredith was drafted by the Chicago Bears, the contract he signed with the company owned by Murchison was honored and he joined the Dallas Cowboys.  

As a rookie, he saw six games of action with Dallas in 1960, throwing for 281 yards and two TDs for the fledgling Cowboys.  In his second season, Meredith would start in four games, throwing for 1,161 yards and 9 touchdowns.  

His numbers would continue to improve over the next two seasons, as would the record of the Dallas Cowboys.  

1966 would be his finest year as a Dallas Cowboy.  He threw for 2,805 yards and 24 touchdowns that season, en route to a Pro Bowl selection.  Meredith also led the league in yards per completion that season, and guided the Cowboys to the playoffs.  

The next two seasons would see performances worthy of Pro Bowl selection as well.  He threw for 16 and 21 touchdowns in those seasons respectively.  He also led Dallas to the NFL championship on December 31, 1967 in which they ultimately lost to the Green Bay Packers in what is commonly referred to as the "Ice Bowl".  

Meredith retired after the 1968 NFL season, in a relatively short professional football career for such a talented athlete. In his nine seasons with the Cowboys, Meredith put up the following numbers: