Before the Dallas Cowboys ever played an official game, general manager Gil Brandt utilized a loophole to secure Don Perkins. Because the expansion franchise was admitted too late for the 1960 NFL Draft, Brandt signed the University of New Mexico star to a personal-services contract, paying him a $1,500 bonus on the condition that he would play for Dallas if they received a franchise. When the Baltimore Colts drafted Perkins in the ninth round anyway, the NFL upheld the contract and forced Dallas to surrender a 1962 ninth-round pick as compensation.

Perkins' debut was postponed due to a broken foot sustained during training camp, causing him to miss the Cowboys' first season in 1960. After recovering in 1961, the 5-foot-10 fullback quickly made a significant impact on Tom Landry's offense. He amassed 1,113 yards from scrimmage and scored eight touchdowns, which led to him being named NFL Rookie of the Year and earning his first Pro Bowl nod, establishing the young franchise’s first major offensive cornerstone.

The following season, Perkins confirmed his strong debut by earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 1962, exceeding 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the second year in a row and scoring seven rushing touchdowns. As the lead runner in Landry's "Multiple Offense," Perkins didn't have elite speed, but he compensated with exceptional balance, leverage, and power when engaging with defenders. Opposing defenses anticipated he would carry the ball in short-yardage situations, yet he reliably gained the needed yards thanks to his raw toughness.

Beyond his ability to run and catch, Perkins was considered one of the best blocking fullbacks of his time. He took great pride in blocking blitzers, delivering powerful lead blocks, and handling subtle tasks that gave quarterbacks Don Meredith and Craig Morton the time they needed to make plays downfield. His selfless approach established a standard of accountability, helping the franchise evolve from an expansion team into a consistent playoff contender.

Perkins achieved six Pro Bowl selections during his eight seasons with Dallas (1961–1963, 1966–1968) and earned two additional All-Pro honors. He retired quietly after the 1968 season at only 30 years old, emerging as the franchise's all-time rushing leader at that time and leaving a lasting impact on the team's early history. Perkins played eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (1961–1968), appearing in 107 games with 6,217 rushing yards, 42 rushing touchdowns, 146 receptions for 1,310 yards, and 7,527 total yards from scrimmage. A six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, he joined the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1976.