"Dandy Don" Meredith - A Great Dallas Cowboys Quarterback

The Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League are a fan favorite franchise. They have been a success on the field, playing at a consistently high level, since joining the league as an expansion team in 1960. In addition to their great success on the field, "America's Team" has been just as successful off the field and is considered to be one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. At the heart of the Cowboys great success on the field are the individuals who have contributed to the play. Endless players have donned the single star and blue and white jerseys of the Dallas Cowboys and taken to the field at Texas Stadium. Through its franchise history, the Dallas Cowboys have had a number of all-stars whose skills and achievements have contributed to Dallas Cowboys history. In the process some of them, such as Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith have become legends of the game. One of the most successful teams in the history of the National Football League, the Dallas Cowboys hold numerous league records, thanks to these players and countless others over the years. The Cowboys hold the league record for most consecutive winning seasons - 20 in all - from 1966 to 1985, as well as the record for most seasons with at least 10 wins (24). Additionally, they have been Superbowl Champions five times a record they share with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The list of team records, a part of Dallas Cowboys history, goes on and on. A formidable team with an exceptional past, Cowboys football was particularly successful during the 30 year span from 1966 to 1996 during which time the team qualified for the playoffs 24 times, played in 14 NFC Championship games, won 19 division titles, and took to the field for 8 Super Bowls, becoming Super Bowl Champions five times. Quarterback Don Meredith was one man who contributed greatly to the early years of Cowboys football success. A student at Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas, Meredith played college ball, starting as quarterback for three years. He was selected as an All-American in 1958 and 1959 and lead the Southwest Conference in passing completion percentage during his three starting years.

Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1960 NFL Draft, Meredith was traded to the new Dallas Cowboys franchise for future draft picks where he spent the first five years as backup to Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Eddie LeBaron. In 1965 legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry named Meredith as the team's starting quarterback. That same year "Dandy Don" Meredith lead the Cowboys to the NFL Playoffs. For the next four years Meredith would continue to lead his team to the playoffs with his toughness and determination. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice during his career and in 1966 was named the the NFL Player of the year. Unexpectedly, Don Meredith retired from professional football in 1969. Meredith is fondly remembered by Cowboys fans and in 1976 he was inducted into the Dallas Cowboy's Ring of Honour at Texas Stadium along with fellow Cowboy, running back Don Perkins.

Following his football career Meredith turned to TV where he worked as a colour commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football. After a three year departure to work at NBC, he returned to ABC Monday Night Football where he worked as a colour commentator, alongside Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford, until 1984. Meredith was known for his relaxed and light-hearted commentary on the game.

In his five years as starting Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Don Meredith left a mark on the team and the game. Thanks to many outstanding all-stars, the NFL Dallas Cowboys have been an exceptional team through the years. Don Meredith who played at the start of those years is fondly remembered by Cowboys fans and is an integral part of Dallas Cowboys history.

Rick Bedard, a lifetime fan of the Dallas Cowboys, has decided to take his love for "America’s team" to the next level. Visit Rick’s online creation Dallas-Cowboys-Apparel.com

This site filled with Dallas Cowboys Merchandise and Information is a dream comes true for Rick….

http://www.dallas-cowboys-apparel.com

Dallas Cowboys - Why You Gotta Love 'em

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.