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Donald William Bishop (July 1, 1934November 13, 1998) was an American professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Los Angeles City College.
He enrolled at Los Angeles City College, where he was a two-way end.
In 1953, he received All-Western State Conference honors. He spent two years out of football while serving his military service.
He returned in 1957 and was named the starter a left end. He received All-Western State Conference and Junior College All-American honors.
In 1961, he began to stand out, finishing with 8 in a 14-game season, including 6 in the first five contests. He trailed league leader Dick Lynch by one. Only Everson Walls (twice), Mel Renfro (once), Trevon Diggs (once), and DaRon Bland (once), have had more in a season for the Cowboys. He also established a team record that stood until 2021, with five consecutive games with an interception. Bishop did not make the Pro Bowl, but was named to the Sporting News first-team All-NFL team.
In 1962, he had 6 and also scored his lone career touchdown, returning an interception 84 yards in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. After missing the Pro Bowl the previous season, Bishop was one of the first Cowboys players ever to receive this honor. In the Pro Bowl, he recovered an Abe Woodson kickoff fumble, returning it 20 yards untouched for the final score in a 30–20 win.
In 1963, he recorded 5 , making him the Cowboys leader in during their first four years of existence. He suffered a knee injury in the sixth game against the New York Giants.
The knee injury forced him to have surgery before the 1964 season, which would limit him the rest of his career. He started 7 games at right cornerback, while alternating with Warren Livingston.
In 1965, he was a backup behind Livingston. He retired at the end of the 1966 season.
Bishop played 9 seasons in the NFL, leaving as the Cowboys career leader. His 22 rank eleventh on the current franchise career list. Although he played on some of the Cowboys worst teams, he became one of their original defensive stars.
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