America’s Team

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The Dallas Cowboys are arguably one of the most popular (and most hated) teams in the world.  It is hard to go anywhere in this country or the world for that matter and not have them come up as a topic of discussion in sports. The rivalry between the Cowboys and the Redskins, the Eagles, and the Steelers are legendary.

When we had the old Texas Stadium with the hole in roof, the joke was that the hole was there so God could watch His team.  That went over well with the haters, I am sure. LOL. Yes, we are proud of our Cowboys.  Even with their flaws and numerous public no-nos, they remain dear and deep in the hearts of millions of fans.  Why do you think that is?  There are a lot of other great teams, but the Cowboys are popular in countries that don’t even have electricity to watch the games.

Here are just a few reasons as to why I think they remain in the limelight:

  • Tom Landry and Tex Schramm built the foundation for the team.  They found a way to win and win consistently regardless of the elements and regardless of the health of their players who often played hurt.  They shut up their critics by winning.
  • Even in their losses, they gave it their all. They left it all on the field.
  • Key players consistently stepped up to make great plays often at the last moment.  Who can forget the “hail Mary pass” or Emmitt Smith setting the all-time rushing record?
  • The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. I had to mention them….LOL.
  • Great drafting.  They always seemed to find the right mix of players that could make magic happen on the field.
  • They happen to be located in Texas….which of all the states in the U.S. is particularly well known around the world.
  • The Cowboys have a history of finding quarterbacks that are not just great players…but are great leaders.  Meredith, Morton, White, Staubach, Aikman…and now Romo.
  • The Cowboys were one of two teams that agreed to play every Thanksgiving.  Detroit was the other team.  That exposure has certainly not hurt the Cowboys (although it has not helped the Lions so much).
  • The new Cowboy stadium is truly a marvel to behold.  When you go there, you can’t help but watch the big screen, no matter where you sit, you have a great view.  It is the envy (at least for now) of all the league.
  • Forbes lists the Cowboys worth at $2.3 billion.  That is pretty incredible in and of itself.  Their marketing has certainly paid off.

I am not one of the fair weather fans who only follows the Cowboys when they are winning.  I admit that when Jerry Jones took over the team it made it harder to love them, particularly with how he let Tom Landry go….but that is water under the bridge.

We have a great team to be proud of, and I am one of the millions who are fortunate enough to have followed them for many years…both good and bad.  Like a marriage…you take the good and the bad, but concentrate on the good if you expect it to last.  Every team is flawed, including the Cowboys, but I am truly grateful that I have been able to see them play numerous times in person and have been both entertained and inspired as a result.  I always look forward to football season, and have hope that this will be the year that we win another Super Bowl.  Who knows, miracles still happen.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

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