Former NFL and NBA franchise owner and Texas business icon Billy Joe ‘Red’ McCombs passed away at the age of 95 at his San Antonio home on Sunday. And Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones feels the loss of a dear friend as the 80-year-old posted his heartfelt condolences.

Jerry Jones expressed his grief at the passing of his long-time friend and business mentor. Red McCombs owned over 400 businesses in the Texas area, including multiple stints with some of the biggest sporting franchises in the world.

Jerry Jones with an earnest eulogy

Before Jerry bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, McCombs had already dwindled in the franchise-owning business. However, Red’s expertise was the NBA, having owned the Spurs and Denver Nuggets in the 1980s. However, Jerry understood the potential of the football league. And motivated Red to try his hand at the then-struggling NFL after winning 3 Lombardis with Dallas in his first seven years.

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McCombs ventured into the NFL in 1998, nine years after Jones came into the picture. And Red chose the Purple and Gold army from Minnesota. The former automobile sales agent and founder of the Red McCombs dealership in San Antonio owned the Vikings from 1998 to 2005. However, even after exiting ownership, Red bled purple till his last breath.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the McCombs family upon Red’s passing. A true Texas titan across sports, media, business and philanthropy. He followed his dreams and impacted countless others along the journey of his amazing life. He was an inspiration to me, and Red’s interest in sports was a great attraction as a friend. I respected the way he valued loyalty. And had a deep appreciation for everything it took to put a team together,” Jones said after the unfortunate news.

McComb’s legacy will live on through his life’s work

It wasn’t just the Minnesota Vikings where Red McCombs had made a significant impact. Red’s impact was tantamount to the existence and the future success of the San Antonio Spurs. Red brought the Dallas Chaparrals from the ABA to the NBA and renamed it the Spurs after the city he grew up in. Yes, Red didn’t enjoy the Tim Duncan glory years. But it couldn’t have been possible without the businessman’s keen athletic interest.

“From multimillion-dollar donations to flying a stranded Little League team back to San Antonio, the McCombs family has always put community first. To me, most of all, he was a good friend and mentor,” San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said in the official statement released by SS&E.

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Besides revolutionizing the NBA and NFL, Red McCombs also had the Midas touch for motorsport in America. BJ Red funded the international ‘Circuit of The Americas’ racetrack and spearheaded the F1 racing in America. And Jerry Jones and the NFL world won’t be the only ones praying for the McCombs during this tragic time.