One of the best reasons to love the Cowboys is simply because they are "our" team. Dubbed "America's Team" by NFL Films editor-in-chief Bob Ryan in 1979, the nickname caught on quickly with adoring fans and has held its place with the team across the US. Whether you actually do love the Cowboys or not, anyone who knows their colorful history will have to agree that they are one of the most "romantic" and flamboyant of all the Professional teams out there, and we are talking about ALL professional teams, not just football.
Just the name "Cowboys" pretty much sums up what the Dallas team means to the USA. If you have ever met a real live cowboy (not the drug-store kind), then you immediately understand the significance of their name. A real cowboy is tough, independent, proud, resilient, smart, and environmentally savvy. (That means he knows what is happening in the immediate area.) These are qualities that are pretty much mirrored by the professional football team out of Irving, Texas. Even when they have a not-so-sterling season, it seems as though their fans are not the fair-weather kind. True Dallas fans stick in there with their team come rain or shine. Not very many sports teams can claim that kind of loyal support. And another thing, Dallas can boast of a fan base that is not just from Texas, but is nationwide.
Another big reason to love the Cowboys is because of the very players that have graced the narrow corridors leading in to the Texas Stadium locker rooms. The first one that steps into mind is the legendary Roger Staubach. Granted, there have been so many football greats; that Dallas has called part of the team, so it really isn't fair to pick just one. However, in many of the fans' minds still, the phrase "Roger Staubach and the Dallas Cowboys" can bring a tingle to the spine and an overall feeling of good will.
Many feel now that the gutsy 1964 draft of the Naval Academy graduate, Roger Thomas Staubach, was simply brilliant. In 1964, the then 4 year old expansion team immediately needed help and at that time, Staubach was graduating from a military institution with 4 years to go to serve his country. Also, the USA was in the middle of a war and the future Super Bowl quarterback was called to a tour of duty in Vietnam. Following his stint in the Navy, the 27 year old rookie came home and got down to the business of becoming "America's Team" Quarterback. The fact that Roger Staubach never played professional football for any other team than the Dallas Cowboys speaks volumes. His famous career spans 10 years and during that time he was Pro Bowl selection 6 times, All-NLF selection 5 times, Super Bowl champion quarterback 2 times, and Super Bowl VI Most Valuable Player. On top of what he did with his Dallas team, he took to Texas the legacy of being the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner.
Indeed, anyone can write volumes about why the Dallas Cowboys are loved and beloved by throngs of dedicated fans. They play football with a total dedication and purity of devotion that is rarely matched by any other team in the professional football league. These are traits that are being passed down by each generation of Cowboy owners, coaches, players, and staff. Of course, by adding true American heroes to the team roster on a regular basis, the job of passing on their great legacy has just been made easier.
On any given day, one can simply state that The Dallas Cowboys is one of the most outstanding professional sport teams ever put together. That is stating an obvious truth. But if you really want to describe the Texas team, they are "our" team, they are "America's Team", and they are the "team you gotta love".
Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching NFL football on tv and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys. Check out his Dallas Cowboys Money Clip or his Indianapolis Colts Watch.
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