He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-way tackle and a three year letterman. He missed the 1958 season with a broken leg.
As a fifth year senior in 1961, he was named All-SWC, an All-American and was voted outstanding SWC lineman in the Dallas Times Herald poll. He helped Texas to win co-conference championships twice, tie Alabama in the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl and win the 1962 Cotton Bowl Classic. The Longhorns finished the 1961 season ranked #3, the best final ranking since 1950.
In 1992, he was inducted into the Longhorns Hall of Honor.[1]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
Talbert was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (100th overall) of the 1961 NFL draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over. He was also selected by the Houston Oilers in the 34th round (271st overall) of the 1962 AFL Draft.
Talbert was in the reserve officer program at Texas and had to miss the next 2 seasons because of military service in the Vietnam War, where he was a police lieutenant in Saigon.[2] He returned to the team in 1965 and played in all 14 games as a backup.
In 1971, he was a backup until replacing Ralph Neely in the starting lineup at left tackle in the eighth game, after Neely had a motorcycle accident. Talbert promptly sprained his ankle and he was first replaced with Forrest Gregg and later by Tony Liscio. Nonetheless, he was able to be a part of the Super Bowl VI winning team.
He was waived on September 7, 1972 and later put on the future list, where he remained for the rest of the season.[6] He was re-signed in 1973, but was waived on September 5 and placed on the team taxi squad, before being waived again on September 19.[7][8]
Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer (WFL)
Talbert was selected by the Chicago Fire in the sixth round (64th overall) of the 1974 WFL Pro Draft of NFL and CFL Players. He was signed by the Houston Texans.[9] After playing 11 games, the team relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana on September 18, where they were renamed as the Shreveport Steamer.
Personal life
Both of Don's brothers played college football at Texas as well. Charlie was a two-way starter at defensive end and receiver; the leading receiver on the 1963 National Championship team. His youngest brother Diron Talbert played defensive tackle in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins. Diron was also inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor, in 2005 after being all-southwest conference player.
