Milwaukee City Wire

This week in City of Milwaukee history.

Gil Brandt died on August 31, 2023

Gil Brandt was born in Milwaukee on March 5, 1932. He attended North Division High School. He played football and also competed in basketball and track. Brandt began his career as a photographer, then became a scout. In 1960, he was hired as vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys. He helped build the team over nearly three decades. Brandt introduced new scouting systems, including computer analysis, psychological testing, and international recruiting. He also helped create the NFL Scouting Combine. He found talent in small schools and other sports. He helped select players who became key to the Cowboys' success. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Brandt also contributed to NFL media and continued to work in football analysis. He died in Dallas on August 31, 2023, at age 91. His work helped modernize how NFL teams evaluate players.