Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs received a kidney that was donated by his former teammate Everson Walls. The operation was performed on February 28, 2007 in Dallas at the Medical City Hospital.

This is believed to be the first time ever that a former US professional sports teammates have shared an organ. The only other cases that involves former professional athletes are that of Greg Ostertag in 2002 when he gave a kidney to his sister while playing for the Utah Jazz, and in 1997 when Oscar Robertson donated a kidney to his daughter.

Springs has been suffering from diabetes for the last 16 years and he has been on the national transplant waiting list since 2004. The diabetes had already cost him his right foot, which was amputated, and his big and middle toes on his left foot. The disease had caused his hands to get knotted and curled and he was wheelchair bound and required dialysis three times a week.

If Springs’ body does not reject the transplant, he would no longer require dialysis and his hands would regain normality. After a rehabilitation, he should be able to walk again unaided.

Springs and Walls became good friends during Walls' first training camp with the Cowboys. They played together just for four years, but their friendship continued. Their wives and children also became close friends and this further strengthened their friendship.

They wanted to keep the transplant quiet until it happened, but the news was given by Shawn, Springs’ oldest son, in December 2006. Shawn plays for the Washington Redskins as cornerback, Walls’ old position.