THE OTHER GARRETTS: Dallas Cowboys Pro Scouting Department delivers again
Last year, it seemed like whoever the Cowboys brought in during the regular season, it was smart move.
Laurent Robinson wasn’t just a steal, but one of the best pickups off the street you will ever see on any team. The guy had four touchdowns in four years and he gets 11 in 14 games.
But he wasn’t the only one. Tony Fiammetta started games at fullback, while Frank Walker was a big addition in the secondary. Even tailback Sammy Morris helped out when DeMarco Murray went down.
PHOTO: The three Garrett brothers played football at Princeton in the late 80’s. In 1987, the three played together for the Princeton Tigers. From left to right, Judd, Jason, and John.
Now, the guys in the Pro Scouting Department – Judd Garrett and Will McClay are at it again. Trading for Ryan Cook seemed like a nice cushion to the interior line. That’s before Phil Costa played just three snaps against the Giants and now will be out a while.
Cook is THE guy at center and the Cowboys seemingly made a nice call with him, especially since he’s been mostly a guard and tackle during his seven years in the league. But they saw enough of him at center, and obviously trusted former Cowboys scouting director Jeff Ireland, who is the GM in Miami and traded him to Dallas for the seventh-round pick.
What they did last year on the fly to get Robinson, Fiammetta, Walker and company, coupled with this free agent period in March to get Brandon Carr, Kyle Orton, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Nate Livings and Dan Connor, suggests those pro scouts have a good feel for what the coaching staff is looking for.
And that only makes sense considering Judd Garrett is running the pro scouting department and happens to be the brother of the head coach.
But already Cook looks to be a good pickup, and it makes me think the addition of cornerback LeQuan Lewis should be rather helpful, too.
RELATED: Everything you ever wanted to know about Judd Garrett, and more!
Judd Garrett (born June 25, 1967) is a former coach and running back. He is currently the director of pro scouting for the Dallas Cowboys.
Playing career: Early years
Judd Garrett went to high school at University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio, where he earned a varsity letter in football, basketball, and baseball. He was named Most Valuable Player in all three sports his senior year. In football, as a senior, Garrett gained a school record 2,011 yards rushing and scored 35 touchdowns. He was selected first team all-state and he won the Cleveland Touchdown Club’s Lou Groza Award which is given to the Most Valuable Player in Northeast Ohio. Garrett graduated from University School in 1985.
Prior to University School, Garrett attended grade school at Saint Ann’s Catholic School which is located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio from 1978-1981. His three years at Saint Ann’s, Garrett played in three consecutive City Championship Football Games and his team won the City Championship in 1979.
College
Garrett is a 1990 graduate of Princeton University where he was a three year starter at running back. In his three seasons, Garrett gained 3,109 yards rushing, caught 137 passes and scored 41 touchdowns. In his senior year, Garrett lead the Tigers to their first Ivy League championship in 20 years. Following his senior season, Garrett was awarded the Asa S. Bushnell Cup which is given to the Ivy League Player of the Year, and he was selected to the Division 1-AA All-American team. He played in the 1990 Hula Bowl where he scored the first touchdown of the game. He also represented the Ivy League with a group of 40 league All-Stars in the Epson Ivy Bowl in Tokyo Japan vs. a team of Japanese All-Stars.
Professional
Garrett was drafted in the 12th round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. After being released by the Eagles, Garrett spent part of the 1990 season on the Dallas Cowboy’s injured reserve list. Garrett then played the next two seasons (1991–1992) with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football. His first season in London, he led the league in receptions with 71 while helping the team amass an 11-1 record and the first ever World Bowl Championship. In that championship game, Garrett set a World Bowl record of 13 receptions and caught the game sealing touchdown with less than a minute left in the first half. After the 1991 season, Garrett was selected to the All-World League team. Following his two seasons in the World League, Garrett spent the 1993 season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, earning a Super Bowl ring. He finished his playing career with two stints in the Canadian Football League with the Las Vegas Posse (1994) and the San Antonio Texans (1995).
Coaching career
Garrett started his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints under Mike Ditka from 1997-1999. After leaving the Saints, Garrett spent six seasons with Miami Dolphins from 2000–2005, as an assistant coach under Dave Wannstedt and Nick Saban during which time the Dolphins had five winning seasons, won a Division Title and two playoff appearances. After the 2005 season, Garrett was hired by the St. Louis Rams to coach tight ends. He stayed with the Rams from 2006-2007. He was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as the director of pro scouting in May 2008.
Personal
Judd Garrett was married to the former Kathleen Kobler, an all-American soccer player at Princeton University, for 14 years, and together they had four children, Calvin, Frances, Campbell and Kassity. Kathy died unexpectedly on August 19, 2007 from a heart attack.
He has two brothers who currently coach in the NFL. Jason Garrett is the current head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and John Garrett is the tight ends coach of the Cowboys.
His father (Jim Garrett) was an assistant coach for the New York Giants (1970–1973), New Orleans Saints (1976–77), and Cleveland Browns (1978–84), head coach of the Houston Texans of the fledgling WFL (1974), and head football coach at Columbia University (1985). From 1987-2004, he served as a scout for the Dallas Cowboys
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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Dallas Cowboys DE Marcus Spears
Position: Defensive end Size: 6-4, 315 Age: 29 College: LSU
Drafted: First round, No. 20 overall, in 2005.
Experience: Entering his eighth season
Contract status: Spears signed a five-year, $19.2 million contract last July.
2011 review: Just last week, Spears defined his 2011 season as “rocky.” Spears said he struggled with his new assignment after he moved from the left to the right side.
“I didn’t really get a feel coming into training camp late,” Spears said. “I fell behind the whole season, especially playing a new position at that point. So it was a tough adjustment and I didn’t do as well as I wanted to do at it. But now I am back on my left side and I’ve got time to learn the defense.”
Spears made little impact last season after the Cowboys re-signed the unrestricted free agent. He has 29 tackles (according to the coaching statistics) and only one sack.
2012 Outlook: Spears has never produced like one would expect from a first-round draft choice. Switching sides last year didn’t help the defensive end.
Now that Spears is back on the left side, he said he feels he has the best chance to contribute and maintain his playing time among a cluttered defensive end rotation.
The Cowboys want to see more production in terms of sacks from their defensive ends in 2012. They hope that the defensive ends can pressure the quarterback more with the unit now in its second full year under coordinator Rob Ryan.
“When you get up in the years, it gets tougher,” Spears said.
Marcus Raishon Spears (born March 8, 1983) is a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for Louisiana State University, and earned All-American honors. The Cowboys selected him in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Early years
Spears was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was a highly sought-after two-sport athlete in the country following his senior season at Southern University Lab High School in Baton Rouge. On the football field, he was rated as the top tight end prospect in America and the third-best overall prospect after earning high school All-America honors. He was named first-team Class 1A all-state selection on both offense and defense following his senior season, becoming the first player to be honored on both in Louisiana since 1991. He finished his final prep season with 28 receptions for 435 yards and three touchdowns and 245 rushing yards and six touchdowns on offense and 22 tackles for losses, 11.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries on defense. The communication studies major was also one of the nation’s top basketball prospects. He played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game on December 30, 2000.
College career
Spears attended Louisiana State University, where he played for coach Nick Saban’s LSU Tigers football team from 2001 to 2004. He was initially recruited by LSU as a tight end, but was soon moved to the defensive line.
In 2001, Spears played tight end, fullback and defensive end as a freshman, recording two catches for 20 yards on offense and eight tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss on defense. His play earned him freshman All-SEC honors as a tight end.
2002 marked his first season as a full-time defensive player, in which he recorded 46 tackles, 16 quarterback pressures, 3.5 tackles for losses and three sacks.
In 2003, during LSU’s national championship season, Spears contributed 49 tackles, 23 quarterback pressures, 13 tackles for losses, six sacks and six passes defensed to earn First-team All-SEC honors. Playing against Oklahoma for the national championship in the Sugar Bowl, Spears returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 21-7 advantage in their 21-14 victory.
In 2004, Spears put together a career year, earning First-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, and AP, and second-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated, first-team All-SEC honors and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award. He finished the year tying his career-high in tackles (49) while setting career-highs for tackles for losses (17) and sacks (nine, a figure that ranks fourth in the LSU single-season records). He also recorded 21 quarterback pressures to help the Tigers finish the year third in the country in total defense.
Professional career
Spears selected in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Spears suffered from injury problems in his first two training camps. In his first training camp in 2005 as a rookie, He sprained his right knee and ankle while straining his calf. What could have been a serious injury was only a minor setback for him. He missed the first three preseason games but bounced back in time for the final preseason game and recorded three tackles and a sack.
Before the 2006 season, Spears underwent minor knee surgery to repair meniscus damage, which forced him to miss the first two weeks of training camp. He was able to return to play in the final three preseason games, along with the entire regular season and playoff game. Spears finished ninth on the Cowboys’ defense with 48 tackles and tied for fifth on the squad with three quarterback pressures.
2005
In 2005, Spears progressed, as he started the season as a back-up and eased into a starting role to earn All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly. His 35 tackles were good for 12th on the team – third among linemen and rookies while his six quarterback pressures were fourth. He added 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed.
In his NFL debut at the San Diego Chargers, Spears was in the defensive line rotation but did not record a tackle. He recorded his first sack – one he split with Greg Ellis – and his first career tackle against the Washington Redskins. Spears then led all defensive linemen with four tackles at the San Francisco 49ers. He helped limit the Philadelphia Eagles to 129 yards, including just 19 rushing, the fourth lowest in franchise history. Spears earned his first NFL start at defensive end at the Seattle Seahawks and responded with three tackles and a batted pass while helping limit Shaun Alexander, the NFL’s leading rusher to 21 carries for 61 yards (2.9 avg.). He officially moved into the starting lineup full time against the Arizona Cardinals and led all linemen with four tackles. Spears logged his third career start in Philadelphia and posted a season-high seven tackles to lead all linemen and finish second on the team. He had a three-tackle game at the New York Giants. Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Spears recorded four and a fumble recovery. With 1:16 remaining in the first half and Dallas trailing 14-10, Spears scooped up a Trent Green fumble at the Cowboys 15-yard line and returned it 59 yards to the Chiefs 26-yard line. Three plays later, Drew Bledsoe completed a pass to Jason Witten for a touchdown and a 17-14 halftime lead. It was the eighth-longest return in franchise history and the longest ever by a Dallas rookie. In Washington, Spears recorded three tackles. In the season finale against the St. Louis Rams, he recorded two tackles and his first solo sack of the season.
2006
Spears finished the 2006 season, with 48 tackles, including 31 solo tackles. He recorded only one sack, but he had three quarterback pressures and two tackles for loss, and three pass deflections.
In the season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars, Spears had two tackles and a tackle for loss. In Week two’s Sunday night game against the Redskins, Spears recorded his only sack of the season, sacking quarterback Mark Brunell in the first quarter, he also recorded two tackles. After the Cowboys’ bye week, Spears led all defensive linemen with four tackles against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans, in rookie quarterback Vince Young first career start, only rushed 27 times for 78 yards. Spears recorded two tackles the next week in Philadelphia, where he also broke up a pass at the line of scrimmage. Against the Houston Texans, Spears recorded three tackles and a quarterback pressure. He recorded three tackles against the Giants in a Monday night loss at Texas Stadium. At the Carolina Panthers, in a Sunday night victory, Spears had two more tackles and a quarterback pressure. He had five tackles the following week in Washington, followed by four tackles in Arizona. Against the eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, Spears had three tackles and one for loss, limiting the Colts to a season-low 14 points. In the annual Thanksgiving Day game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had three tackles. He had two tackles in the Cowboys’ 23-20 win over the Giants at the Meadowlands. The following week Spears recorded a season-high six tackles against the Saints in a home loss. He recorded four tackles in a road win against the Atlanta Falcons, helping provide pressure on the defensive line that sacked Falcons quarterback Michael Vick four times. Spears had three tackles in the Cowboys’ Christmas Day loss to the Eagles and did not record a stat in the season finale against the Detroit Lions. In his postseason debut, Spears had one tackle and led the team with two quarterback pressures against the Seahawks.
2007
In 2007, Spears appeared in all 16 regular season game and Dallas’ lone post season game. For the season Spears recorded 32 tackles (19 solo), two forced fumbles, and a career high two sacks and three passed defensed on the season.
In the season opener against the New York Giants, Spears recorded one tackle (one solo). During week two at the Miami Dolphins, he recorded two tackles (two solo). In the week three victory over the Chicago Bears, Spears recorded two tackles (one solo). During the week four victory over the St. Louis Rams, he recorded two tackles (one solo), and 0.5 sack. In week five at the Buffalo Bills, Spears recorded two tackles (one solo). During the Cowboys first loss of the season, to the New England Patriots, he recorded four tackles. In the week seven win over the Minnesota Vikings, Spears did not record any stats. During week nine at the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded one tackle and 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In the week 10 win over the New York Giants, Spears recorded two tackles (two solo). During the week 11 win over the Washington Redskins, he recorded one tackle. In the week 12 victory over the New York Jets, Spears recorded two tackles and one pass defensed. During the week 13 victory over the Green Bay Packers, he recorded one tackle, and a pass defensed. In the week 14 win over the Detroit Lions, Spears recorded one tackle. During a week 15 loss to the Eagles, he recorded three tackles (two solo). In a week 16 victory over the Carolina Panthers, Spears recorded one tackle and one pass defensed. During the season finale against the Washington Redskins, he recorded a season high five tackles (four solo), one sack, and one forced fumble.
In the Cowboys lone playoff game against eventual Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants, Spears recorded two tackles.
2011
Spears signed a 5 year, $19.2 million contract during the off-season. He injured his groin in the second preseason game and missed the rest of the preseason.
Career statistics
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| Year | Team | G | Tack | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sack | FF | FR | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | Pass Def. |
| 2005 | Dallas Cowboys | 16 | 31 | 20 | 12 | – | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 | Dallas Cowboys | 16 | 45 | 29 | 16 | – | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 | Dallas Cowboys | 16 | 30 | 19 | 11 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 | Dallas Cowboys | 16 | 35 | – | 12 | – | 1.0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 | Dallas Cowboys | 16 | 25 | – | 8 | – | 2.5 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | Dallas Cowboys | 8 | 19 | – | 8 | – | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 88 | 185 | 68 | 67 | – | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
Charitable work
Spears was actively involved in community service projects during his time at LSU. His sister, Deidre was a three-year letterwoman on the basketball team at LSU, while starting two of those years for the Lady Tigers. As a rookie, Spears was a member of the Cowboys 2005 Rookie Club, a program designed to introduce rookie team members to community service in the Dallas area which included work with The Salvation Army, Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Meals on Wheels. In the spring, Spears was a co-chair, along with teammate DeMarcus Ware, for the second annual Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Tailgate Party at Abacus restaurant that benefited The North Texas Food Bank. The event raised enough money to provide 330,000 meals to North Texans in need.
In 2008 Marcus Spears donated $6,500 to a high school student by the name of Willie Forbes who was going on a trip to Europe for 21 days with People to People Student Ambassadors. In Europe, Willie visited France, Italy, and Greece. While in those countries, Willie visited sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Parthenon. He and Marcus now share a great friendship.
Family
Spears and his wife, Aiysha, have one daughter, Macaria Reagan (born 2/23/07), and one son, Tory.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Dallas Cowboys DE Jason Hatcher
Position: Defensive End Size: 6-6, 302 Age: 29 College: Grambling State
Drafted: Third Round, 92nd overall, in 2006
Experience: Entering his seventh season
Contract status: In the second year of a three-year contract, $6 million contract, Hatcher is scheduled to make a $1.5 million base salary in 2012.
2011 review: Jason Hatcher’s development as a player took longer than expected. And it wasn’t certain whether he would be back last season as the Cowboys made an effort to retain another defensive end, the promising Stephen Bowen. But when Bowen signed with the Washington Redskins, the Cowboys made a push to keep Hatcher.
In August 2011, Hatcher rejoined the Cowboys and eventually emerged as a regular starter under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. With his promotion, he became the team’s most effective defensive end among players who were on the field for more than 300 snaps. Hatcher established career-high marks in sacks (4.5) and combined tackles (28). He also intercepted a pass and batted down two others while forcing a fumble.
“I had fun,” Hatcher said. “My role expanded. I worked my butt off and got to be a starter. I had a lot of fun. I think last year was the most fun I had. Coach Ryan came in and gave me an opportunity and I took advantage of it.”
2012 Outlook: There is a surplus of defensive ends on the roster at the moment. But Hatcher’s position seems secure especially now that Marcus Spears has moved back over to the left side. Even if that development didn’t happen, Hatcher has proven he is worthy of starting now that he is entering the prime of his career and is coming off his best season in Dallas. Among 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL, Hatcher was rated the ninth-most effective in the league by ProFootballFocus.com in 2011.
That’s not surprising to those who have watched him progress. Hatcher is known as a hard worker and another year in Ryan’s system should help him and the other players on the defensive line.
“I’m just looking forward to having a better year this year than last year,” Hatcher said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Jason Dewayne Hatcher
(born July 13, 1982) is a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Grambling State University, and was drafted in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Early years
Hatcher was born in Alexandria, Louisiana and was raised in Jena and attended Jena High School where he lettered in football and basketball. As a senior, he helped his team to a 10-3 record and earned all-state honors after catching 28 passes for 1,028 yards as a tight end.
College career
Hatcher attended Grambling State University where he majored in physical education.
As a true freshman, he was ruled academically ineligible due to NCAA requirements. Then, in 2002, he was granted a medical redshirt after rupturing his right ACL. In 2003, as a sophomore he started at tight end and caught one pass for 14 yards and a two-point conversion before being converted to defensive end midway through the season. After changing positions, he recorded 13 tackles, three sacks and one pass broken up. In 2003, as a junior, he played his first full season at defensive end and finished the year with 33 tackles, 10 for losses and five sacks. As a senior he recorded 65 tackles.
He finished his career with 111 tackles, 31.5 for losses and 18.5 sacks.
Professional career
Hatcher was selected in the 3rd round (92nd overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
As a rookie, Hatcher played in 14 games, missing two with a sprained ankle. For the season, he recorded 13 tackles, one for a loss and 2.5 sacks. In 2007, he played in all 16 games and recorded 35 tackles, three for losses and two sacks, while forcing one fumble. In 2008, Hatcher recorded 36 tackles, one for a loss, one pass broken up and one sack. In 2009, he played in all 16 games and recorded 29 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup. In 2010, he started his first career game and recorded 13 tackles and one sack.
Personal life
Hatcher and his wife Natasha have two sons, DiCarlos and Jason, Jr. and one daughter, Tamia. He is a relative of Bryant Purvis, who was facing attempted murder charges as one of the Jena Six. Charges have since been reduced to aggravated battery.
Hatcher hopes to one day become a head football coach.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Dallas Cowboys FB Lawrence Vickers
Position: Fullback Size: 6-0, 250 Age: 29 College: Colorado
Drafted: Sixth round, 180th overall pick, in 2006
Experience: Entering his seventh season
Contract status: Signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys in March. According to Spotrac.com, the deal is worth a total of $2.4 million with Vickers making a base salary of $800,000 in 2012.
2011 review: While playing in 14 games for the Houston Texans, Vickers caught four passes, recorded one rushing attempt and one start. However, Vickers played a significant role in clearing space for Texans running back Arian Foster, who rushed for 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns.
2012 Outlook: Although Vickers has become known for briefly exiting organized team activities earlier this month because of fire ants in his pants, during the 2012 season, the veteran will be identified as the lead blocker for DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones.
Before landing in Houston last year, Vickers spent his first five NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns doing similar work. The Beaumont native rarely carried the ball, something he’s done only 34 times in 90 career games, instead, Vickers occasionally caught passes [45 career grabs with three going for scores] and blocked for several running backs.
“I want to do the dirty work,” Vickers said in a 2010 interview posted on YouTube. “I want to do that job that most people can’t do. And most people can’t play the fullback position. It’s hard. It’s not like blocking on the line. It’s a collision. It’s a gut check.”
In 2008, Vickers was named as a second alternate for the Pro Bowl. Two years later, he led the way for Peyton Hillis to rush for a career-high 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns.
When the Cowboys were healthy at fullback last season, Murray had success. But when fullback Tony Fiammetta, who is currently with the New England Patriots, was sidelined because of illness, Murray, who eventually had his rookie season ended prematurely because of a broken ankle, wasn’t as productive.
Can Vickers help Murray find similar success? Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones must think so. After all, Jones recently said: “This can be the best we’ve been at fullback since Daryl [Johnston].”
Murray wasn’t about to make any bold predictions last week when asked about the addition of Vickers. Like Murray pointed out, because players weren’t wearing pads at OTA and mini-camp practices it’s difficult to know how everything will unfold when both sides start hitting.
“So far so good,” Murray said. “I’m loving the enthusiasm he brings to the running back group and brings to the practice field and what he brings to this team, so I’m excited to see what he’s going to do in training camp.”
Lawrence Blanchard Vickers, Jr. (born May 8, 1983 in Beaumont, Texas) is a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Colorado at Boulder Buffaloes.
Early years
Four year letterman at Forest Brook High School in Houston, Texas.
College career
He played for the University of Colorado Buffaloes during his college career. Vickers saw limited playing time as a true freshman in 2002. He saw action in 11 games, including the Alamo Bowl (no starts), seeing time on both offense (at fullback) and on special teams; he was a regular at the end of the year in CU’s Stack-I formation (two fullbacks). He had seven rushes for 25 yards on the year, and also caught one pass for seven yards. In 2003, he played in 11 games on both offense and special teams, started six of those games at FB and finished with 100 yards on 28 carries with one TD. He also finished with 15 receptions for 123 yards and one TD. As a junior in 2004, Vickers started seven games and finished with 63 carries for 252 yards and two TD’s, and 28 receptions for 290 yards. He remained the Buffs No. 1 FB and backup RB as a senior in 2005, when he finished with 258 yards and nine TDs on 73 carries and 152 yards and two TDs on 26 receptions. He was an Ethnic Studies/Sociology major. It has also been revealed that he is allergic to ants.
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
Vickers was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 6th round, pick 11 (180th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. Serving as the team’s backup fullback behind Terrelle Smith, Vickers started one game, earning three rushing attempts for two yards and catching six passes for 60 yards. He saw significant time on special teams, having five kick returns for 84 yards. He made his NFL debut versus the New Orleans Saints on September 10.
Vickers took over the fullback position in 2007 and played in every game with 14 starts. He was Jamal Lewis’ primary lead blocker, helping him rush for 1,304 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also had 15 carries for 43 yards and 13 receptions for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. For his efforts, Vickers was named as a second alternate for the 2008 Pro Bowl at fullback.
In his four seasons, Vickers has scored 3 touchdowns, all on short-yardage receptions. All of his touchdowns were scored against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Houston Texans
On August 3, 2011, Lawrence Vickers signed with the Houston Texans. Vickers was released by Houston on March 13, 2012.
Dallas Cowboys
Vickers was signed to a two year deal by the Dallas Cowboys on March 14, 2012.
HONORING OUR HERITAGE: Dallas Cowboys FIRST linebacker, assistant coach Jerry Tubbs dies at age 77
Jerry Tubbs was there at the dawn of the Cowboys’ franchise in 1960 and he was still a member of the organization at the end of Tom Landry’s tenure in the late 1980’s. A man who watched the Cowboys grow into America’s Team, first as a player and then an assistant coach, died this week in the Dallas area.
He was 77 and was survived by his wife, Marlene.
Tubbs, who grew up in Breckenridge, a town located 130 miles west of Dallas, became a well-known figure with the Cowboys after an accomplished career at Oklahoma, where he played for legendary coach Bud Wilkinson and never suffered defeat during the Sooners’ dynasty.
After beginning his NFL career with the Chicago Cardinals as a first round pick in 1957 and then being traded to San Francisco a year later, he came to Dallas in 1960, when the newly-formed Cowboys selected him and 35 other players in an expansion draft.
“The only reason we got him was because he told the 49ers he was going to retire,” said former Cowboys vice president of player personnel Gil Brandt.
It turned out to be quite a coup for the Cowboys. As a middle linebacker – a key position in Landry’s defense — he immediately became integral member of the team and was invited to the Pro Bowl in 1962. Eventually, in 1966, he became a player-coach and transitioned into a full-time assistant one year later.
“He handled that extremely well,” recalled former Cowboys defensive back Mel Renfro. “He wasn’t a very vocal guy. He was nuts and bolts…Everybody loved him.”
Naturally, Tubbs supervised the linebackers he once played alongside and the ones he coached at the outset — Lee Roy Jordan, Chuck Howley and Dave Edwards — were regarded as great defenders.
“He was a very down-to-earth guy,” Edwards said. “He was the type of coach that could be friends with his players.”
He also shared many of the same personality traits that Landry had. An analytical type, he was more reserved than vocal. And by the time his run in Dallas was up after the 1988 season, he was the third-longest tenured assistant or head coach in Cowboys history. In fact, he still is.
“Tom had a great deal of faith in him as a coach,” Brandt said. “Jerry was very, very smart. And he was one of the toughest guys.”
But Edwards said what he remembers most about Tubbs was that he was “just a real, real good person.”
Remembering
Jerry Tubbs
January 23, 1935 – June 13, 2012
Gerald J. Tubbs (January 23, 1935 – June 13, 2012) was a linebacker who played for ten seasons in the National Football League from 1957 to 1966, mainly for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. After his retirement he stayed with the Cowboys as an assistant coach for 22 years.
Tubbs played college football at the University of Oklahoma. In 1996 he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame. Tubbs never played in a game his team lost until turning pro.
High school career
Tubbs was an honor graduate student and played center at Breckenridge High School. He was part of two Texas state championship football teams in 1951 and 1952. He played in three high school All-Star games and was a unanimous Texas All-State selection in 1952.
He never lost a game in high school.
The teams were coached by Cooper Robbins (1951) and Joe Kerbel (1952). Both went on to the college ranks.
Since 2008, the Breckenridge Buckaroos open the football season playing the "Jerry Tubbs Kickoff Classic".
In 1971, he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of fame.
College career
Tubbs played three varsity years at the University of Oklahoma, and the Sooners won all 31 games in that period. He was a fullback in 1954 and averaged six yards on rushing attempts. Head coach Bud Wilkinson moved him to center in 1955, and this became his signature position. He also played linebacker and in a victory over Texas in 1955, he intercepted three passes. In 1956 he was unanimous All-America center and was named Lineman of the Year by three agencies.
In 1954, when fullback Billy Pricer was injured, Tubbs had to replace him playing against University of Texas, the first time he had ever played in the backfield. In the remaining games of that season, he averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
Tubbs graduated from Oklahoma with a degree in economics and was a 1956 Academic All-America.
During his three varsity years, Oklahoma’s record was 10-0, 11-0, 10-0. His 31 wins were part of that legendary 47-game winning streak and two national titles from 1954-56.
The 1954 team was ranked third nationally in the Associated Press and United Press polls. The 1955 and 1956 teams were national champions. In those years Oklahoma played one bowl game. The 1955 team beat Maryland University 20-6 in the Orange Bowl.
A consensus selection for 1955 and 1956 All-American honors at center and linebacker, Tubbs was the first Sooner ever to win the Walter Camp Award as the outstanding player of the year. He was the leading vote-getter for All-American in both UPI and AP polls and was voted the outstanding lineman in every poll he was eligible.
Tubbs finished fourth in the 1956 Heisman Trophy voting (very high for a lineman), behind his second place teammate, Tommy McDonald, and winner Paul Hornung of Notre Dame University.
In 1996, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
In 1999, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Cardinals and 49ers
He was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in the first round of the 1957 NFL Draft — 10th overall. Suddenly, he found himself on a perennial loser, playing out of position as an outside linebacker. He was benched, then traded to the San Francisco 49ers near the end of his second season. He finished out that year at outside linebacker. The following year he moved into the middle linebacker spot.
After the 1959 season, Tubbs planned to retire, so the Forty Niners left him off their list of players who were exempt from the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft.
Dallas Cowboys
Tubbs was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys in 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. As it turned out, he would spend the next 29 years in Dallas — as a player, then a player-coach, then a fulltime assistant coach.
When Jack Patera fell to injury in the 4th game of the 1960 season, Tubbs became the starter at middle linebacker.
He was an impact player on those early Cowboys teams. He had quickness, toughness and an unbeatable motor. In 1962, he was one of the first Cowboys players voted to the Pro Bowl, along with: QB Eddie LeBaron; DT Bob Lilly; RB Don Perkins; and CB Don Bishop.
During his playing days, he rated among the top middle linebackers in the NFL.
Tubbs became a player-coach in 1965. In 1966 he retired and was working for the Dallas Federal Savings and Loan Association, but was lured back for one more year by Tom Landry. He played just the first 3 games of the season, until he suffered a back injury. The following year (1967), Landry, sensing that the Cowboys had a real chance at a championship, wanted to have Tubbs as insurance in the event Lee Roy Jordan should be injured. He came back again, but didn’t play a single down.
Post-playing career
When he finally retired as a player in 1968, he became the linebackers coach under Tom Landry for 21 years. He coached in five Super Bowls, with Dallas winning two.
External links regarding Jerry Tubbs
- College Hall Of Fame – Jerry Tubbs Biography
- First win for Cowboys was a memorable one
- Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame – Jerry Tubbs Biography
- Jerry Tubbs football cards
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl VI Champions
10 Ron Widby | 12 Roger Staubach (MVP) | 14 Craig Morton | 15 Toni Fritsch | 19 Lance Alworth | 20 Mel Renfro | 22 Bob Hayes | 23 Margene Adkins | 26 Herb Adderley | 30 Dan Reeves | 31 Gloster Richardson | 32 Walt Garrison | 33 Duane Thomas | 34 Cornell Green | 35 Calvin Hill | 36 Joe Williams | 37 Isaac Thomas | 41 Charlie Waters | 42 Claxton Welch | 43 Cliff Harris | 46 Mark Washington | 50 D. D. Lewis | 51 Dave Manders | 52 Dave Edwards | 54 Chuck Howley | 55 Lee Roy Jordan | 56 Tom Stincic | 60 Lee Roy Caffey | 61 Blaine Nye | 62 John Fitzgerald | 63 Larry Cole | 64 Tony Liscio | 66 George Andrie | 67 Pat Toomay | 70 Rayfield Wright | 71 Rodney Wallace | 72 Don Talbert | 73 Ralph Neely | 74 Bob Lilly | 75 Jethro Pugh | 76 John Niland | 77 Bill Gregory | 79 Forrest Gregg | 83 Mike Clark | 85 Tody Smith | 87 Billy Truax | 89 Mike Ditka
Head Coach: Tom Landry Assistant Coaches: Ermal Allen | Bobby Franklin | Jim Myers | Dan Reeves | Ray Renfro | Ernie Stautner | Jerry Tubbs
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XII Champions
1 Efren Herrera | 11 Danny White | 12 Roger Staubach | 18 Glenn Carano | 20 Mel Renfro | 21 Doug Dennison | 25 Aaron Kyle | 26 Preston Pearson | 31 Benny Barnes | 33 Tony Dorsett | 35 Scott Laidlaw | 36 Larry Brinson | 41 Charlie Waters | 42 Randy Hughes | 43 Cliff Harris | 44 Robert Newhouse | 46 Mark Washington | 50 D. D. Lewis | 53 Bob Breunig | 54 Randy White (Co-MVP) | 56 Thomas Henderson | 57 Bruce Huther | 58 Mike Hegman | 59 Guy Brown | 61 Jim Cooper | 62 John Fitzgerald | 63 Larry Cole | 64 Tom Rafferty | 65 Dave Stalls | 66 Burton Lawless | 67 Pat Donovan | 68 Herbert Scott | 70 Rayfield Wright | 71 Andy Frederick | 72 Ed Jones | 73 Ralph Neely | 75 Jethro Pugh | 77 Bill Gregory | 79 Harvey Martin (Co-MVP) | 80 Tony Hill | 83 Golden Richards | 86 Butch Johnson | 87 Jay Saldi | 88 Drew Pearson | 89 Billy Joe DuPree
Head Coach: Tom Landry Assistant Coaches: Ermal Allen | Mike Ditka | Jim Myers | Dan Reeves | Gene Stallings | Ernie Stautner | Jerry Tubbs
Dallas Cowboys 1960 Inaugural Season Roster
Gene Babb | Bob Bercich | Dick Bielski | Don Bishop | Nate Borden | Tom Braatz | Byron Bradfute | Bill Butler | Frank Clarke | Fred Cone | Mike Connelly | Gene Cronin | Paul Dickson | Fred Doelling | Jim Doran | Mike Dowdle | Fred Dugan | L. G. Dupree | Mike Falls | Tom Franckhauser | Bob Fry | John Gonzaga | Buzz Guy | Wayne Hansen | Don Healy | Don Heinrich | Bill Herchman | John Houser | Billy Howton | Ed Husmann | Dick Klein | Walt Kowalczyk | Eddie LeBaron | Woodley Lewis | Ray Mathews | Don McIlhenny | Don Meredith | Jim Mooty | Jack Patera | Duane Putnam | Dave Sherer | Jerry Tubbs | Gary Wisener
Head Coach: Tom Landry Assistant Coaches: Tom Dahms | Babe Dimancheff | Brad Ecklund
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Dallas Cowboys ILB Sean Lee
Name: Sean Lee
Position: Inside linebacker
Size: 6-2, 245 Age: 25
College: Penn State
Drafted: Second round, 55th overall in 2010
Experience: Entering third season
Contract status: He is halfway through his four-year, $3.49 million rookie contract. Lee’s base salary is $540,000 this season and his cap hit to the club is $840,000.
2011 review: It can be argued that Lee’s impact on the defense was equal to or greater than DeMarcus Ware’s. Lee ended Bradie James’ six-year reign as the team’s leading tackler. Not only did his 131 tackles lead the Cowboys, it was 52 tackles beyond safety Abe Elam, who finished second.
Lee’s incessant study habits paid off. He tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss with eight. He tied for the team lead in interceptions with four. He tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries with two. He tied for third in passes knocked down with eight.
Lee consistently put himself in a position to make plays whether it was the run game or pass game and displayed a natural feel for the position.
2011 grade: A
Outlook in 2012: Lee has established himself as a cornerstone of this defense. Look for him to build on what he did last season and become even more of a vocal leader.
What Lee did last season shows he’s worthy of Pro Bowl consideration. He is a rising star in this league and can confirm that status with another strong season in 2012.
Early life
He is the son of Craig Lee and Geralyn Lee of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Lee’s older brother Conor was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh and his sister Alexandra was a student athlete at Upper St. Clair High School. Sean is also a grandson of Federal Judge Donald J. Lee of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
High School
Lee was a multi-sport star at Upper St. Clair High School outside Pittsburgh, he was a three-year starter at point guard in basketball, averaging 21.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a senior, and winning a district title. In football, Lee rushed for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns while registering 95 tackles and four picks as a safety for an 11-1 squad his senior year.[1]
College career
A 2005 graduate of Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania. Lee went on to play college football at Penn State. Heading into 2008, Lee was a starting outside linebacker for coach Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions for two consecutive seasons. In his junior year he was 2nd team all Big Ten, finishing second on the team in tackles with 138. He had a season high 17 tackles versus Illinois, and registered more than 10 tackles in all but three games. He also had two interceptions and three forced fumbles on the season.
In April 2008, Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a non-contact drill at spring practice. Despite being forced to take a medical redshirt for the 2008 season, Lee’s teammates elected him a team captain that season. While rehabbing, he opted to serve as an undergraduate assistant coach, participating in every practice and wearing a headset on the sidelines during games that season.
Lee was again elected team captain by his teammates prior to the 2009 season.
College awards and honors
- 2007 Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP
- Third-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten
- Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten Six Nittany Lions Named To The Sporting News’ All-Big Ten Team
- He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his effort in the Florida International game on September 1, 2007, and again following Penn State’s 31-6 victory over Temple on September 19, 2009.
- He was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week with Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis following his efforts in the Purdue game on November 3, 2007
Professional career
Prior to the draft, draft analyst Mike Mayock was quoted saying “I wouldn’t be surprised if he snuck in late in the first round. If he doesn’t, I think he’s going to go in the front half of the second round. He’s too good.”
Dallas Cowboys
2010
Lee was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 55th overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. After the draft, Wade Phillips said that he thought Lee could play both inside linebacker positions (“Mike” & “Mo”) in the Cowboys 3–4 defense. Lee was bothered by nagging injuries in training camp, in doing so failed to see a lot of action on the field.
He did earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors for his December 5, 2010, performance versus Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, in which he recorded the first two interceptions of his pro career—including one he returned for a touchdown, and one in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.
2011
Promoted to starting inside linebacker in 2011, Lee thrived immediately in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme. In the opening game versus the New York Jets, Lee intercepted Mark Sanchez to earn his 3rd interception of his career. His key interception of Rex Grossman and fumble recovery in the final minute of the Cowboys’ Monday Night Football game with versus the Washington Redskins were crucial in the 18-16 comeback.
By week three, Lee had a team-leading 36 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, a tackle for a loss, and three pass breakups, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors. He was the first Cowboys player in franchise history to win the award.
In the 7th game of the 2011 season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Field, Lee suffered a dislocated left wrist in the first quarter when he hit his hand against Michael Vick’s helmet, but opted against having season ending surgery. After 7 games, Lee lead the team in total tackles with 51, 15 more tackles than the next leading tackler, Gerald Sensabaugh with 36 total tackles. Lee also ranked first on the team with 3 interceptions, the only player on the team through the first seven games with more than one interception. On the eighth game of the season, Sean Lee was inactive due to the wrist injury sustained the previous week.
Lee ended up having a break out season, becoming one of the defense leaders by calling all the plays, leading the team with 131 tackles and tying for the team lead in interceptions (four) and tackles for loss (eight). He also became only the second linebacker to have ever intercepted both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Special contribution: David Moore | Dallas Morning News
HISTORY: The Dallas Cowboys – Philadelphia Eagles rivalry
Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles rivalry - The Boys Are Back
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The Dallas Cowboys – Philadelphia Eagles rivalry has been one of the higher profile rivalries in the NFL over the past three decades, characterized by bitterly contested games that are typical of the NFC East.
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Old Steve Sabol video on the Dallas Cowboys – Philadelphia Eagles rivalry. Click on “Read more” to continue with post
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SPOTLIGHT: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan
SPOTLIGHT - Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan - The Boys Are Back blog
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Rob Ryan (born December 13, 1962 in Ardmore, Oklahoma) is the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He is the son of former defensive coordinator and head coach Buddy Ryan and the twin brother of current head coach of the New York Jets, Rex Ryan.
Early life
When his parents, Doris and Buddy Ryan, divorced in 1966, Rob and his twin brother Rex, moved with Doris to Toronto. In 1974, they moved back to the United States to live with their father. He attended Stevenson High School in Linconshire, Illinois.
Playing career
Ryan played defensive end opposite his brother Rex at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Coaching career
Ryan was a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky in 1987 and at Ohio State in 1988. Ryan then spent 5 seasons at Tennessee State, where he coached running backs (1989–91), wide receivers(1992) and the defensive line (1993). He served as defensive coordinator at Hutchinson Community College in 1996, where they led the nation in total defense (228 yards per game) and in sacks (56). His defense also set a national record by forcing 49 turnovers. Ryan originally entered the NFL coaching ranks in 1994 as defensive backs coach on his father’s staff at Arizona Cardinals. He also coached Cardinals cornerbacks and safeties in 1995. With Ryan as his position coach, cornerback Aeneas Williams earned two trips to the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995. In 1995, the Cardinals led the NFL with 32 interceptions and 42 total takeaways. The 1994 Cardinals ranked second in the NFL total defense, second in run defense and third in pass defense. From 1997–99, Ryan was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, where the Cowboys defense continually ranked among the best in the nation, also he was named Coordinator of the Year by The Sporting News in 1997.
SPOTLIGHT: Dallas Cowboy running back DeMarco Murray
PHOTO: Dallas Cowboys DeMarco Murray runs for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011. JERRY LARA
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DeMarco Murray (born February 12, 1988) is a running back for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. Murray was selected in the third round (71st overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys
DeMarco Murray signed a four-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys worth $2.97 million including a signing bonus worth $622,000 on July 29, 2011.
On October 23, 2011 he ran 253 yards against the St. Louis Rams at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, breaking Emmitt Smith’s single game rushing record for a Dallas Cowboys running back of 237 yards (set at Philadelphia against the Eagles on October 31, 1993) on October 23, 2011. The record total included a first-quarter 91-yard touchdown run that is second longest in Cowboys history, after a NFL-record 99-yard run by Tony Dorsett in January 1983.
Tragic Loss: Dan Wheldon dies following crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Dan Wheldon | 1978-2011
The Boys Are Back note: Out of respect, the above video does not show the wreck or any graphic details. If you’d like to see more video coverage, please click HERE. You’ll be rerouted to a longer video that includes a tribute.
LAS VEGAS — Dan Wheldon, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the most popular drivers in open-wheel racing, died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a horrific multi-car crash on Lap 11 of the IndyCar Series season finale.
Officials decided to call the race, but the drivers, many sobbing openly, did a five-lap tribute to Dan Wheldon. IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard made the official announcement of Wheldon’s death without further comment.
“IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries,” Bernard said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor.”
Dan Wheldon, 33 and the 2005 series champion from Emberton, England, was competing in only his third IndyCar race of the season, trying to win the race and earn a $5 million bonus that was part of a league promotion for driver who didn’t compete full-time in the series this year.
Wheldon was the only driver to accept the challenge. This year’s Indy 500 was the second time Wheldon had won the prestigious event. He also won it in 2005.
Wheldon was expected to replace Danica Patrick next season in the Go-Daddy-sponsored car for Andretti Autosport. Patrick is moving to NASCAR full-time in 2012.
SPOTLIGHT: Jerry Jones – Dallas Cowboys owner, general manager
Dallas Cowboys owner_general manager has produced three Super Bowl winning teams!
Jerral “Jerry” Wayne Jones (born October 13, 1942) is the owner and general manager of the NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.
Early life
Jerry Jones was born in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas when he was an infant. Jones was a star running back at North Little Rock High School. Jones attended college at the University of Arkansas and was a co-captain of the 1964 National Championship football team. He was an all-SWC offensive lineman for Hall of Fame coach Frank Broyles and a teammate of Neil Rosenberg and Jimmy Johnson. Other notable teammates were Glen Ray Hines, Ken Hatfield, Jim Lindsey, and Loyd Phillips. Several future great head coaches were assistant coaches for Frank Broyles and the Razorbacks during his college career in Fayetteville including Hayden Fry, Johnny Majors, and most notably Barry Switzer, Hall of Fame coach of the University of Oklahoma. Jerry Jones is one of a very small number of NFL owners who actually earned a significant level of success as a football player.
When Jerry Jones graduated college in 1965, he was hired as an executive vice president at Modern Security Life of Springfield, Missouri, his father’s insurance company. He received his Masters degree in business in 1970. After several unsuccessful business ventures (including passing up the opportunity to purchase the AFL‘s San Diego Chargers in 1967), he began an oil and gas exploration business in Arkansas, Jones Oil and Land Lease, which became phenomenally successful. His privately-held company currently does natural resource prospecting.
Dallas Cowboys
In 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Cowboys and Texas Stadium from H.R. “Bum” Bright for $140 million. Soon after the purchase, he fired long time coach Tom Landry, to that point the only coach in the team’s history, in favor of his old teammate at Arkansas, Jimmy Johnson. A few months later, he forced out longtime general manager Tex Schramm, and assumed complete control over football matters.
After the 1993 Super Bowl victory, reports began to surface in the media that Jerry Jones had made the statement that “any one of 500 coaches could have won those Super Bowls”, given the type of talent that he (Jones) had drafted and signed for the team. Jones also stated to reporters at a late night cocktail party that he intended to replace Jimmy Johnson with former University of Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer. The next morning, however, Jones famously denied those reports by stating that it “was the whiskey talking”. Jimmy Johnson was eventually forced out in 1994 and Barry Switzer was hired to be the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry Jones is one of two NFL owners who also have the title or powers of general manager, the other being the Cincinnati Bengals’ Mike Brown.
Of all the owners in American professional sports, he is considered to be one of the most involved, on a day-to-day basis, with his team. He can be seen in his box at every Cowboys game and in many cases he ventures down to the Cowboys sideline (usually late in the game).
Criticism
In an online poll from October 8, 2003, Jerry Jones was named the least favorite sports personality by Sports Illustrated. He is often vilified by fans who remain bitter at Jones’ unceremonious firing of fan-favorite Tom Landry. Some of the fan criticism is due to Jerry Jones’ high visibility and involvement as the “face of the team” which is in stark contrast to original owner Clint Murchison Jr.
Some Dallas Cowboy fans have expressed their displeasure with Jerry Jones and the lack of success in the franchise. This had led to formation of grassroots organizations aimed at displacing Jones from his position.
Jones is the subject of a book published September 1, 2008 titled ‘Playing to Win’ by David Magee. In the book, Jerry Jones says he handled the firing of Tom Landry poorly and takes some blame for the disintegration of his relationship with Jimmy Johnson.
NFL fines
Jerry Jones was fined $25,000 by the NFL for publicly criticizing referee Ed Hochuli after Hochuli made a controversial call in a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos on September 14, 2008. He made comments both to the press and on his radio show, saying Hochuli was one of the most criticized officials in the NFL. This was Jones’ first fine by the NFL.
In 2009, Jones was fined for violating a gag order on labor issues. Commissioner Roger Goodell had issued a gag order for all owners and team executives from discussing any aspect of the pending labor issues. Jones “crossed the line”, drawing a “six-figure” fine, sources said, as the commissioner distributed a memo to all 32 owners, along with a reminder that the gag order remains in effect. Goodell did not disclose the specific amount of Jones’ fine in the memo.
Jones in popular culture
Jerry Jones was the inspiration for the character Baxter Cain (Robert Vaughn), owner of the Dallas Felons, in the 1998 film BASEketball. He had a brief cameo appearance as himself in the 1998 made-for-television reunion movie Dallas: War of the Ewings. He also appeared as himself in an episode of the TV show “Coach” in 1996. He also appeared as himself in a 2007 television commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX, which also featured then Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and quarterback Tony Romo. Jerry Jones most recently starred in a commercial for Papa John’s in which a stunt man performs a dance act. Jones also appeared in the seventh season of the HBO series Entourage as himself in 2010.
Personal life
Jerry Jones is married to Gene Jones and they have three children: Stephen, Charlotte and Jerry, Jr. They also have nine grandchildren.
Stephen Jones (born July 21, 1964) is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and serves as the Cowboys’ chief operating officer/executive vice president/director of player personnel. Charlotte (born July 26, 1966) is a Stanford graduate and serves as the Cowboys’ vice president/director of charities and special events. Jerry, Jr (born September 27, 1969) is a graduate of Georgetown University who earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University, is the Cowboys’ chief sales and marketing officer/vice president.
Cowboys Stadium
A highlight of Cowboys Stadium is its gigantic, center-hung high-definition television screen, the largest in the world. The 160 by 72 feet, 11,520-square-foot scoreboard surpasses the 8,736 sq ft screen that opened in 2009 at the renovated Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri as the world’s largest.
At the debut pre-season game of Cowboys Stadium, a punt by Tennessee Titans kicker, AJ Trapasso, hit the 2,100 in. screen above the field. The punt deflected and was ruled in-play until Titans coach Jeff Fisher informed the officials that the punt struck the scoreboard. (Many believe Trapasso was trying to hit the suspended scoreboard, based on replays and the angle of the kick.) The scoreboard is, however, within the regulation of the NFL guidelines – hanging approximately five feet above the minimum height. It should also be noted that no punts hit the scoreboard during the entire 2009 regular season during an actual game. Also, what should be noted is that on August 22, 2009, the day after AJ Trapasso hit the screen, many fans touring the facility noted that half of the field was removed with large cranes re-positioning the screen. According to some fans, a tour guide explained that Jerry Jones invited a few professional soccer players to drop kick soccer balls to try and hit the screen. Once he observed them hitting it consistently he had the screen moved up another 10 feet.
The first regular season home game of the 2009 season was against the New York Giants. A league record-setting 105,121 fans showed up to completely pack Cowboys Stadium for the game before which the traditional “blue star” at the 50 yard line was unveiled for the first time; however, the Cowboys lost in the final seconds, 33–31.
The Cowboys got their first regular season home win on September 28, 2009. They beat the Carolina Panthers 21–7 with 90,588 in attendance. The game was televised on ESPN’s Monday Night Football and marked a record 42nd win for the Cowboys on MNF.
EXECUTIVE BIO – Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys website)
In one of the most dramatic eras of ownership in professional sports, Jerry Jones’ stewardship of the Dallas Cowboys has brought unprecedented results and success to one of the world’s most popular sports entities.
Aside from being one of only four current owners to guide their franchises to at least three Super Bowl titles, Jones’ efforts in the areas of sports marketing, promotion and the development of Cowboys Stadium have created a vivid imprint on the landscape of the NFL and the American sports culture.
Highlighted by Super Bowl victories following the 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons, Jones became the first owner in NFL history to guide his team to three league championships in his first seven years of ownership. In 1995 Dallas also became the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in four seasons while tying the then-NFL record for most Super Bowl victories by an organization with five.
The first decade of Jones’ ownership closed with eight playoff appearances, six division titles, four conference championship game appearances and three world crowns as the Cowboys were named the NFL’s Team of the 1990s. Dallas closed the first decade of the new millennium with division titles in 2007 and 2009 while the 2009 club secured the 11th playoff appearance in Jones’ 22 seasons of leadership.
Along with the success of the Dallas Cowboys on the field, Jones’ vision and leadership provided the driving influence behind the concept, design, and construction of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas – a venue that is recognized internationally as perhaps the most spectacular and state-of-the-art sports stadium in the world.
Opened to the public in May of 2009, Cowboys Stadium’s dramatic first season of operation resulted in the venue being named the Sports Facility of the Year by the Sports Business Journal in May of 2010. Along with that achievement for the team’s new home, Jones was also named the 2009 Sports Executive of the Year by the SBJ.
The 100,000 plus seat Cowboys Stadium established the attendance record for an NFL regular season game as 105,121 witnessed the September 20, 2009 home opener, while the 108,713 who attended the NBA All-Star Game on February 14, 2010 became the largest crowd to witness a basketball game in the history of the sport.
In just over two years of operation, more than four million fans have attended events that included high school and collegiate football, major college basketball, professional bull riding, Motocross, world championship boxing and a handful of concerts that featured world renowned recording artists. Another million visitors have passed through the twelve-story-high doors of the stadium for daily public tours of the venue.
With its architectural versatility and cutting edge media capabilities, Cowboys Stadium has become a visible beacon that has established North Texas as a major focal point on the sports and entertainment canvas of North America.
The brilliant home of the Cowboys has become a powerful catalyst in attracting a wide range of national and international events that will define the future of the region for generations to come. After already playing host to Super Bowl XLV in February of 2011, other top flight events for the future include the annual AT&T Cotton Bowl, the 2014 NCAA Final Four in men’s basketball and the annual Texas A&M-Arkansas football series just to name a few.
Since he took over as general manager in 1989, the Cowboys have drafted 25 different players who have gone on to appear in a combined total of 95 Pro Bowls. Dallas has also signed 11 free agent players who have made 28 Pro Bowl appearances while representing the Dallas Cowboys. Since 1989 the Cowboys have made 129 trades, the most celebrated of which was the 1989 deal that sent Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings and provided the personnel foundation for three league titles.
In selecting the on-the-field leadership for the Cowboys, Jones hired a pair of coaches who won three Super Bowls in Dallas: Jimmy Johnson (1992-1993) and Barry Switzer (1995). Chan Gailey followed with a division title and playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999. In 2003 Jones successfully recruited two-time Super Bowl winner Bill Parcells to Dallas, and Parcells directed the team to three winning seasons and two playoff trips in four seasons. In February of 2007, Jones added another successful NFL head coach in Wade Phillips who guided the club to a pair of division titles in his first three years (2007 and 2009) and a playoff victory in 2009. In 2011, Jones named Jason Garrett as the team’s eighth head coach after the former Cowboys’ quarterback guided the club to a 5-3 record as the interim coach in the second half of the 2010 season.
In the last 33 years, 34 different owners have entered the National Football League. Of that group, only Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft of New England have guided their franchises to more than two Super Bowl championships. Moreover, Jones joins Art Rooney, Jack Kent Cooke, Al Davis, Eddie DeBartolo and Kraft as the only men to have won at least three Super Bowls as NFL owners.
On the league front, he actively contributes his vision and enthusiasm to enhancing the NFL’s status as the world’s premier professional sports league by serving on a wide range of league committees. He was recently very involved—as a member of the Management Council Executive Committee–in the labor negotiations that resulted in the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and its players. In addition to the CEC, Jones is currently the Chairman of the NFL Network Committee, and he is a member of the NFL Broadcasting Committee, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee and the NFL Player Dire-Need Committee. Jones also served on the committee that was charged with overseeing the search for a successor to retired NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue — a search that successfully landed current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in September of 2006. In addition, Jones has served two prior terms as a member of the NFL’s Competition Committee as well as a stint on the Business Ventures Committee.
His contributions and innovations in the areas of marketing, corporate sponsorships, television, stadium management, stadium development, labor negotiations and community service have made a visible imprint on the ever evolving face of professional sports in America. Since becoming involved with the Cowboys, Jones’ accomplishments have been recognized through his induction into the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2007), the Texas Business Hall of Fame (2005), the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (1999) and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (1998). In August of 2007, he served as the presenter for Michael Irvin’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a recognition he was also named for by Emmitt Smith as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher was enshrined in Canton in August of 2010.
As a co-captain of the 1964 National Championship Arkansas Razorbacks, Jones is one of a very small number of NFL owners who actually earned a significant level of success as a football player. He is the only man in the history of the National Football League to play for a collegiate national championship football team and own a Super Bowl winner. In addition, Jones and the legendary George Halas are the only two men to become NFL owners after playing in a major college football bowl game. His current ties to the college game include membership on the Board of Directors for the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
A man of varied interests who will not rest on yesterday’s achievements, he is a dedicated businessman and family man – sharing a vivid enthusiasm for both. Although Jones and his family are very involved in numerous civic and charitable causes, the Joneses have left an indelible local and national impression on the philanthropic landscape with their love and dedication to The Salvation Army.
For the past 14 seasons, the Jones family has dedicated the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day halftime show as a national showcase to kick off The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Drive. Through the donation of national television air-time, the event has created a new holiday tradition, while helping to increase donations to The Salvation Army’s annual fund raising efforts by hundreds of millions of dollars. Major George Hood of The Salvation Army states that “by presenting the National Kettle Kickoff on Thanksgiving Day, the Dallas Cowboys have helped the Army raise over one billion dollars in the past 14 years.” Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gilman, Creed, LeAnn Rimes, Toby Keith, Destiny’s Child, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, The Jonas Brothers, Daughtry and Keith Urban have provided the entertainment for the holiday extravaganzas.
The Salvation Army points to the annual Cowboys kickoff event as one of the most effective, creative and important innovations that has been developed in the long and storied history of the organization.
The Joneses received the Evangeline Booth Award in 1999, one of the Army’s highest national community service awards and have been selected for membership into the prestigious Salvation Army William Booth Society. Gene and Jerry were also named to the Army’s National Advisory Board in April of 1998 shortly after being named the organization’s Partners of the Year in 1997. In April of 2007, Gene and Jerry Jones served as the honorary chairpersons for the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Organizations Conference (NAOC) that was held in Dallas.
For 10 years, Gene and Jerry Jones served as hosts and underwrote the costs for the Super Lunch, a fundraising event for The Salvation Army Irving Corps Community Center. In 1998 the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Center for Children opened in conjunction with The Army.
As part of the Jones Family and the Dallas Cowboys commitment to Arlington, Texas, the home of the club’s new stadium, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities will donate a total of $16.5 million to non-profit organizations serving youth in Arlington from 2009-2041.
In 2001 the Joneses were awarded the Chairman’s Award by The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In June of 2002, Gene and Jerry Jones were recognized as the recipients of the Children’s Champion Award for Philanthropy that was presented by the Dallas for Children organization. In 2003 the Family Gateway organization of Dallas presented Gene and Jerry with the Annette G. Strauss Humanitarian Award. In April of 2005, Gene and Jerry were recipients of the Hope Award, the highest community service recognition awarded by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2010 the Jones Family and the Cowboys were selected by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to receive the prestigious Chairman’s Award that recognized the Cowboys long and dedicated history of supporting that organization.
The Jones family is very involved with several other community-related organizations, including Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home, the National Board for The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Kent Waldrep Paralysis Foundation, The Rise School of Dallas, The Family Place and The Family Gateway. In 2010, the Jones family endowed the North Texas Youth Education Town with a $1 million grant. Created as a lasting legacy of Super Bowl XLV, the North Texas YET will be administered by The Salvation Army and provide North Texas youth with education, mentoring, fitness and character enrichment programs.
Jerry (10/13/42) and Gene live in Dallas. They have three children, Stephen, Charlotte and Jerry, Jr., and nine grandchildren.
Stephen (6/21/64) is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and serves as the Cowboys Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President/ Director of Player Personnel. Charlotte (7/26/66) is a Stanford graduate and serves as the Cowboys Executive Vice President/VP of Brand Management/President Charity Foundation. Jerry Jr. (9/27/69), a graduate of Georgetown University who earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University, is the Cowboys Executive Vice President/ Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.
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Courtesy: Wikipedia and Dallas Cowboys website Edited: The Boys Are Back
DALLAS COWBOY UNIFORMS: Everything ever wanted to know … and more!
DALLAS COWBOY UNIFORMS: Everything ever wanted to know about the Dallas Cowboys uniform, logo, jersey, helmets … and more
Dallas Cowboy logos and uniforms
The Dallas Cowboys’ blue star logo representative of Texas as “The Lone Star State” is one of the best known team logos in professional sports. The blue star originally was a solid shape until a white line and blue border was added in 1964. The logo has remained the same since. Today, the blue star has been extended to not only the Dallas Cowboys, but owner Jerry Jones’ AFL team, the Dallas Desperados that have a similar logo based on the Cowboys. The blue star also is used on other entries like an imaging facility and storage facility.
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Dallas Cowboys Uniforms
The Dallas Cowboys’ white home jersey has royal blue (PMS 280 C) solid socks, numbers, lettering, and two stripes on the sleeves outlined in black. The home pants, according to the Dallas Cowboys official media guide, are a common metallic silver-blue color (PMS 8280 C) that help bring out the blue in the uniform. The navy (PMS 289 C) road jerseys (nicknamed the “Stars and Stripes” jersey) have white lettering and numbers with navy pinstripes. A white/gray/white stripe are on each sleeve as well as the collared V-neck, and a Cowboys star logo is placed upon the stripes. A “Cowboys” chest crest is directly under the NFL shield. The away pants are a pearlish metallic-silver color (PMS 8001 C) and like the home pants, enhance the navy in the uniforms. The team uses a serifed font for the lettered player surnames on the jersey nameplates.
Dallas Cowboy uniforms – Dallas Cowboys uniform with helmet – Dallas Cowboys uniform jersey and helmet – Dallas Cowboys helmet – Dallas Cowboys jersey
Dallas Cowboys’ current home and away uniforms
The team’s helmets are also a unique silver with a tint of blue known as “Metallic Silver Blue” (PMS 8240 C) and have a blue/white/blue vertical stripe placed upon the center of the crown. The Dallas Cowboys also include a unique, if subtle, feature on the back of the helmet: a blue strip of Dymo tape with the player’s name embossed, placed on the white portion of the stripe at the back of the helmet.
DALLAS COWBOY UNIFORM – Dallas Cowboys helmet – Front and back of the current Dallas Cowboys NFL helmet – Dallas Cowboy helmet
Front and back view of current official National Football League Dallas Cowboys helmet
Dallas Cowboys uniform history
Dallas Cowboy uniforms – 1960-1963 Dallas Cowboys uniform with helmet – Dallas Cowboys uniform 1960-1963
When the Dallas Cowboys franchise debuted in 1960s, the team’s uniform included a white helmet adorned with a simple blue star and a blue-white-blue stripe down the center crown. The team donned blue jerseys with white sleeves and a small blue star on each shoulder for home games and the negative opposite for away games. Their socks also had two horizontal white stripes overlapping the blue.
Dallas Cowboy uniforms – 1964-1966 Dallas Cowboys uniform with helmet – Dallas Cowboys uniform 1964-1966
In 1964 the Cowboys opted for a simpler look (adopting essentially the team’s current uniform) by changing their jersey/socks to one solid color with three horizontal stripes on the sleeves; the white jersey featured royal blue stripes with a narrow black border, the royal blue jersey white stripes with the same black outline. The star-shouldered jerseys were eliminated; “TV” numbers appeared just above the jersey stripes. The new helmet was silverblue, with a blue-white-blue tri-stripe down the center (the middle white stripe was thicker). The blue “lone star” logo was retained, but with a white border setting it off from the silverblue. The new pants were silverblue, with a blue-white-blue tri-stripe. In 1964 the NFL allowed teams to wear white jerseys at home; several teams did so, and the Cowboys have worn white at home ever since, except on certain “throwback” days.
In 1966, the team modified the jerseys, which now featured only two sleeve stripes, slightly wider; the socks followed the same pattern. In 1967 the “lone star” helmet decal added a blue outline to the white-bordered star, giving the logo a bigger, bolder look. The logo and this version of the uniform has seen little change to the present day.
DALLAS COWBOY UNIFORM – Dallas Cowboys uniforms jersey and helmet from 1960 thru 2000 – Throwback thru Modern Dallas Cowboy uniforms, jerseys, and helmets – Dallas Cowboys uniform jersey helmet history
- from 1970–1973 when the “TV” numbers were moved from the shoulders to the sleeves above the stripes
- from 1981–1988 the pants featured a white uniform number in an elliptical blue circle worn near the hip.
- the removal of the indented serifs on the front and back jersey numbers in the early 1980s (seen currently on the throwback jersey)
- In 1980 the blue jersey was rendered in a slightly darker shade than the 1964–79 version; from 1981–1994 the dark jerseys sported numbers that were gray with white borders and a blue pinstripe. The stripes on the sleeves and socks also used the same gray with white border scheme (sans navy pinstripe).
- Player names on jersey backs, which appeared in 1970, were originally in block-letter style; by the late 1980s the names were slightly smaller and in footed, “serif” style.
- the 1996 addition of the word “Cowboys” in the center of the neckline which lasted until 1998 on the white jersey but currently remains on the blue jersey.
During the 1976 season, the blue-white-blue stripe on the crown of the helmets were temporarily changed to red-white-blue to commemorate the United States’ bicentennial anniversary.
Dallas Cowboy uniforms – NFL 75th anniversary Dallas Cowboys uniform with helmet – Dallas Cowboys NFL 75th throwback uniform 1994
In 1994, the NFL celebrated their 75th Anniversary, and the Dallas Cowboys celebrated their back-to-back Super Bowl titles by unveiling a white “Double-Star” jersey on Thanksgiving Day. This jersey was used for special occasions and was worn throughout the 1994–1995 playoffs. During the same season, the Cowboys also wore their 1960–63 road jersey with a silver helmet for one game as part of a league-wide “throwback” policy.
During the 1995 season, the team wore the navy “Double-Star” jersey for games at Washington and Philadelphia and permanently switched to solid color socks (royal blue for the white uniform, and navy blue for the dark uniform). The navy “Double-Star” jersey was not seen again until the NFL’s Classic Throwback Weekend on Thanksgiving Day 2001–2003.
In 2004, the Cowboys resurrected their original 1960–1963 uniform on Thanksgiving Day. This uniform now serves as the team’s alternate or “third jersey” and is usually worn at least once a year, although team has used their normal white uniforms on Thanksgiving in 2007 and 2008. The team will once again wear this uniform at home on Thanksgiving Day in 2009 while their opponent the Oakland Raiders will wear their AFL Legacy Weekend throwbacks. Dallas wore this alternate uniform on October 11, 2009 as part of one of the NFL’s AFL Legacy Weekends when they traveled to Kansas City to play the Chiefs who were sporting their AFL Dallas Texans’ uniforms. This created a rare game in which neither team wore a white jersey and the first time the Cowboys wore the alternative uniform as a visiting team.
Dallas Cowboys home/road jersey history
The Cowboys were one of the first NFL teams to primarily wear their white jersey at home, as it was an unofficial rule that teams wear their colored jersey at home. This tradition was started in 1964 by Tex Schramm, who wanted fans to see a variety of opponents’ colors at home games. Since then, a number of other teams have worn their white uniforms at home, including the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.
Throughout the years, the Cowboys’ blue jersey has been popularly viewed to be “jinxed” because the team often seemed to lose when they wore them. This curse purportedly became popular after the team lost Super Bowl V, when they were forced to wear their colored jersey because they were the designated home team. However, the roots of the curse likely date back earlier to the end of the 1968 season when the blue-shirted Cowboys were upset badly by the Cleveland Browns in the divisional playoffs. That turned out to be Don Meredith’s final game as a Cowboy. Dallas’s lone victory in a conference championship or Super Bowl wearing the blue jerseys was in the 1978 NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, league rules were changed to allow the Super Bowl home team to pick their choice of jersey. Most of the time, Dallas will wear their blue jerseys when they visit Washington, Philadelphia (sometimes), Miami, or one of the handful of other teams that traditionally wear their white jerseys at home during the first half of the season due to the hot climates in their respective cities. Occasionally opposing teams will wear their white jerseys at home to try to invoke the curse,as when the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Cowboys in the 1980 NFC Championship Game. The Washington Redskins, after wearing white exclusively in the ’80s and ’90s, including the 1982 NFC Championship Game (having gone 3–0 in them during the regular season, during CBS’ pregame show, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder actually invoked the blue jerseys in picking Dallas to win the game), have since 2002 occasionally reverted to using their burgundy jerseys for second-half home games, but will still wear white against the Cowboys. One of the more recent examples of the “curse” happened in 2008 when the 1–4 St. Louis Rams chose to wear their white uniforms at home, forcing the Cowboys to wear road blue uniforms. The Rams would upset the Cowboys 34–14.
Although Dallas has made several tweaks to their blue jerseys over the years, Schramm said he did not believe in the curse. Since the league began allowing teams to use an alternate jersey, the Cowboys’ alternates have been primarily blue versions of past jerseys and the Cowboys have generally had success when wearing these blue alternates.
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Courtesy: NFL, Dallas Cowboys, Wikipedia, Nike
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HISTORY: The Cowboys–Redskins rivalry
The Cowboys–Redskins rivalry is a sports rivalry between two professional American football teams in the National Football League (NFL), the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. Sports Illustrated has called it the top NFL rivalry of all time and “one of the greatest in sports.” During the tenure of this rivalry, the two franchises have won 27 combined division titles and eight combined Super Bowls. They are the two wealthiest franchises in the NFL. The rivalry started in 1960 when the Cowboys joined the league as an expansion team. During that year they were in separate conferences, but played once during the season. In 1961, Dallas was placed in the same division as the Redskins, and from that point on, they have played each other twice during every regular season.
Beginning
Texas oil tycoon Clint Murchison, Jr. was having a hard time bringing an NFL team to Dallas, Texas. He tried buying two teams, but the negotiations fell through. In 1958, Murchison heard that George Preston Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, was eager to sell the team. Just as the sale was about to be finalized, Marshall called for a change in terms. Murchison was outraged and canceled the whole deal.
Around this time, Marshall had a falling out with the Redskin band director, Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin had written the music to the Redskins fight song, now a staple at the stadium; additionally, Marshall’s wife penned the lyrics to the song. Breeskin wanted revenge after the failed negotiations with Marshall. He approached Tom Webb, Murchison’s lawyer, and sold the rights for $2,500.
Murchison then decided to create his own team, with the support of NFL expansion committee chairman, George Halas. Halas decided to put the proposition of a Dallas franchise before the NFL owners, which needed to have unanimous approval in order to pass. The only owner against the proposal was George Preston Marshall. However, Marshall found out that Murchison owned the rights to Washington’s fight song, so a deal was finally struck. If Marshall showed his approval of the Dallas franchise, Murchison would return the song. The Cowboys were then founded and began playing in 1960.
To build the roster of an expansion team, Dallas was allowed to pick certain players from certain teams per League rules. Murchison selected the Redskins’ Pro Bowl quarterback, Eddie LeBaron, who would become the Cowboys’ first starting quarterback. Somehow, Marshall had forgotten to move LeBaron to the team’s “protected” list.
First Few Games
Though both teams would become juggernauts in the NFL, the beginning of the rivalry was not all that exciting. The first game took place in Griffith Stadium on October 9, 1960 and was won by the Redskins. It was the only game they would win that year. The Cowboys would go winless that season. The Redskins would win two of the first four and tied the two others.
Cowboy Chicken Club
In December 1961, an unknown number of Cowboys fans sneaked into D. C. Stadium, armed with bags of chicken feed. When Alaskan snow dogs were to drag Santa Claus onto the field during the halftime show, the pranksters would unleash dozens of hungry chickens onto the field – 75 white, one black. The significance of the black chicken was to symbolize how Marshall was the only owner in the league who would not recruit an African-American football player; Marshall stating, “We’ll start signing Negroes when the Harlem Globetrotters start signing whites.”
The chickens fit into two large crates, which were smuggled into the stadium the morning of the game. The chickens and the smugglers went unspotted until halftime, when a stadium usher noticed a man guarding the crates and heard the chickens. Though the guard tried to bribe the official with $100 dollars, he was quickly reported and arrested, and the chickens confiscated. As it turned out, the “official” was actually Redskins general manager Dick McCann.
The following year and the night before the third Redskins-Cowboys match-up in less than a year, pranksters sneaked into Marshall’s hotel suite and dropped off a large turkey in the bathroom. When Marshall went into the bathroom, the turkey puffed up and gobbled at him, causing Marshall to flee his room. “Chickens are nice”, Marshall said, “but a man shouldn’t fool with a mad turkey.”
Just minutes before kickoff, while “Hail to the Redskins” blared throughout the stadiums, four banners reading “CHICKENS” – one at each 50-yard line and one in each end zone center – were unfurled in the stadium’s upper decks. Two acrobats, hired by Cowboys fans and Chicken Club founders Bob Thompson and Irv Davidson (along with the University of Maryland students with the banners) rushed onto the field dressed in chicken costumes and began to throw colored eggs. One was apprehended by a guard, but the other proved to be too elusive. By this time, the band was playing the National Anthem, therefore unable to move. The lone chicken-acrobat reached into this bag and released a chicken, then returned to his egg-throwing. Running to a sideline, he then attempted to leave the stadium by jumping over a bench, but slipped.
A group of security guards then apprehended him, but he was able to break free. He made it back to the 50-yard line, turned a cartwheel, then ran and flopped onto the 30-yard line. By this time, only aware that the National Anthem was over, the two teams rushed onto the field in the middle of the chaos. In the midst of the ruckus, the man made it off the field and into the stands. Although the real chicken was caught, the acrobat-chicken was never apprehended.
The next day, while reporting the 38-10 Cowboys victory, the Dallas News scoring summary ended with, Attendance-49,888 (and one chicken).
Rivalry off the Field
- On December 19, 2005, Dallas Mavericks guard Darrell Armstrong was fined $1,000 for grabbing a microphone before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center and yelling “How ’bout those Redskins!” Only a few hours prior, the Cowboys had been routed by the Redskins 35-7, in the most lopsided loss of Bill Parcells coaching career. Armstrong was raised in North Carolina as a Redskins fan.
- Dallas coach Tom Landry starred in a 1980s American Express TV commercial in which he made the statement, “You never know when you’ll be surrounded by Redskins”. Several large men dressed in Washington uniforms encircled Landry, who addressed them with, “Howdy!” After the credit card sales pitch was read, the ad returned to that scene, and Landry quickly elbowed his way out of the circle.
- After Tom Landry was fired as Cowboys coach by new owner Jerry Jones in 1989, Landry starred in another TV commercial for Quality Hotels, in which he states that he feels so great being out of football that he might take up a new career. Landry then pulls out a guitar and sings the Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson classic, “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be,” and after a pause, sings, “Redskins!” At the end of the commercial, Landry says, “You didn’t think I would say ‘Cowboys’, did ya?”
- On August 2, 2008 when Art Monk and Darrell Green were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, during a live broadcast of Hall of Fame coverage, when Redskins fans were asked to sing the fight song, they began to chant “Dallas Sucks”. The cast laughed about and Michael Irvin simply wrote 281 on a piece of paper symbolizing Art Monk and Darrell Green’s numbers, 28 and 81. The fans were then forced to leave the broadcasting area and not allowed to return until after the induction ceremony.
Rivalry statistics
| Cowboys wins | Ties | Redskins wins | Cowboys points | Redskins points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular season | 60 | 2 | 38 | 2,280 | 1,881 |
| Postseason | 0 | 2 | 20 | 57 | |
| Totals | 60 | 2 | 40 | 2,300 | 1,938 |
Monday Night Football
The Cowboys and Redskins have met 14 times on Monday Night Football, the most of any two teams. The teams met last in 2005. The series has been played eight times at Washington’s home field (five times at RFK Stadium and three times at FedEx Field) and six times at Dallas’ home field (all at Texas Stadium). The series is as evenly matched as any in MNF history; each team has won seven games in the series (no ties), with each team also going .500 at each field (4-4 in games played at the Redskins’ home field and 3-3 in games played at the Cowboys’ home field).
| Year | Winner | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Washington Redskins | 14-7 | Washington, D.C. |
| 1978 | Washington Redskins | 9-5 | Washington, D.C. |
| 1980 | Dallas Cowboys | 17-3 | Washington, D.C. |
| 1983 | Dallas Cowboys | 31-30 | Washington, D.C. |
| 1985 | Dallas Cowboys | 44-14 | Irving, Texas |
| 1987 | Washington Redskins | 13-7 | Irving, Texas |
| 1991 | Washington Redskins | 33-31 | Irving, Texas |
| 1992 | Dallas Cowboys | 23-10 | Irving, Texas |
| 1993 | Washington Redskins | 35-16 | Washington, D.C. |
| 1997 | Washington Redskins | 21-16 | Landover, Maryland |
| 2000 | Dallas Cowboys | 27-21 | Landover, Maryland |
| 2001 | Dallas Cowboys | 9-7 | Irving, Texas |
| 2004 | Dallas Cowboys | 21-18 | Landover, Maryland |
| 2005 | Washington Redskins | 14-13 | Irving, Texas |
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