<P> Bright received his bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University 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 . </P> <P> Bright returned to Texas 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 . </P> <P> In 1984, Bright (along with 11 limited business partners, including Craig Hall) purchased the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise from Clint Murchison, Jr. for $85 million . </P> <P> The Cowboys made the playoffs in his first season as owner, losing to the Los Angeles 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 . </P>

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