Bum Bright
Encyclopedia
Harvey Roberts Bright (October 6, 1920 - December 16, 2004) was an American
businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys
from 1984 to 1989.
in 1943. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and deployed to Europe during the Second World War
. Bright remained in the Army until 1946, obtaining the rank of captain.
in 1946 and began investing in oil and natural gas leases. Later he expanded to trucking, banks, real estate, and savings and loans. His investments made him a millionaire by the age of 31. In 1990, he was listed as one of the 100 richest people in Texas.
NFL franchise from Clint Murchison, Jr.
for $85 million.
The Cowboys made the playoffs in his first season as owner, losing to the LA Rams in the first round and finishing with a 10-6 record. The team's performance declined over the next three seasons, posting records of 7-9, 7-8, and 3-13.
After suffering financial losses, including an estimated $29 million in the 1988 collapse of First Republic Bank Corporation, Bright sold the franchise to Jerry Jones
in 1989 for $170 million. Jones made many changes to the team, including firing longtime head coach Tom Landry
. Later, Bright claimed that he wanted to fire Landry as early as 1987, but general manager Tex Schramm
did not approve.
. In response to President Kennedy's visit to Texas in 1963, Bright co-sponsored a political advertisement in the Dallas Morning News to criticize the President's policies. The full-page, black-bordered ad ran on November 22, 1963, the day that Kennedy was assassinated
in Dallas.
He also disapproved of the extent of federal welfare programs. In a 1990 interview with Texas Monthly, he stated, "Our unrestrained welfare programs encourage people to be non-productive and, therefore, hungry and helpless."
, Texas A&M University
, and its athletics programs. After the Texas A&M football team upset the University of Texas in 1967, he had one million matchboxes with the inscription "Tee Hee Hee: Texas A&M 10, Texas 7" printed and distributed throughout the state of Texas.
He served as the chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents from 1981 to 1985. In 1991, Texas A&M named him a Distinguished Alumnus. A&M also presented him with the Sterling C. Evans medal in 2002.
Bright donated an unrestricted contribution of $25 million to Texas A&M in 1997. In 2000, he donated another $5 million to support renovation of the school's football stadium, Kyle Field
. Two buildings on Texas A&M's campus bear his name: the Bright Athletic Complex and the H. R. "Bum" Bright Building.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
from 1984 to 1989.
Early Life
Bright received his bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
in 1943. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and deployed to Europe during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Bright remained in the Army until 1946, obtaining the rank of captain.
Business
Bright returned to TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in 1946 and began investing in oil and natural gas leases. Later he expanded to trucking, banks, real estate, and savings and loans. His investments made him a millionaire by the age of 31. In 1990, he was listed as one of the 100 richest people in Texas.
Dallas Cowboys owner
In 1984, Bright (along with 11 limited business partners) purchased the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
NFL franchise from Clint Murchison, Jr.
Clint Murchison, Jr.
Clint William Murchison Jr., was a businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team.A son of Clint Murchison, Sr...
for $85 million.
The Cowboys made the playoffs in his first season as owner, losing to the LA Rams in the first round and finishing with a 10-6 record. The team's performance declined over the next three seasons, posting records of 7-9, 7-8, and 3-13.
After suffering financial losses, including an estimated $29 million in the 1988 collapse of First Republic Bank Corporation, Bright sold the franchise to Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones
Jerral "Jerry" Wayne Jones is the owner and general manager of the NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.-Early life:Jones was born in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas when he was an infant. Jones was a star running back at North Little Rock High School...
in 1989 for $170 million. Jones made many changes to the team, including firing longtime head coach Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
. Later, Bright claimed that he wanted to fire Landry as early as 1987, but general manager Tex Schramm
Tex Schramm
Texas Earnest "Tex" Schramm, Jr. was the original president and general manager of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys franchise. Schramm became the head of the Cowboys when the former expansion team started operations in 1960.-Early life and career:Despite his name, Schramm was not born...
did not approve.
Politics
An outspoken conservative, Bright was highly critical of John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. In response to President Kennedy's visit to Texas in 1963, Bright co-sponsored a political advertisement in the Dallas Morning News to criticize the President's policies. The full-page, black-bordered ad ran on November 22, 1963, the day that Kennedy was assassinated
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
in Dallas.
He also disapproved of the extent of federal welfare programs. In a 1990 interview with Texas Monthly, he stated, "Our unrestrained welfare programs encourage people to be non-productive and, therefore, hungry and helpless."
Connection to Texas A&M
Bright was known for publicly supporting his alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, and its athletics programs. After the Texas A&M football team upset the University of Texas in 1967, he had one million matchboxes with the inscription "Tee Hee Hee: Texas A&M 10, Texas 7" printed and distributed throughout the state of Texas.
He served as the chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents from 1981 to 1985. In 1991, Texas A&M named him a Distinguished Alumnus. A&M also presented him with the Sterling C. Evans medal in 2002.
Bright donated an unrestricted contribution of $25 million to Texas A&M in 1997. In 2000, he donated another $5 million to support renovation of the school's football stadium, Kyle Field
Kyle Field
Kyle Field is the football stadium located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. It has been the home to the Texas A&M Aggie football team in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a complete stadium since 1927. It is known as The Home of the 12th Man...
. Two buildings on Texas A&M's campus bear his name: the Bright Athletic Complex and the H. R. "Bum" Bright Building.