The Dallas Cowboys: A History of America’s Team
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world, not only because of their star players, but because of their team colors, which have become iconic as well.
But how did the Cowboys get their start?
In 1960, Lamar Hunt founded the franchise to be part of the new American Football League (AFL), and he chose the name Dallas Texans as homage to his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin.
However, after just two seasons, Hunt changed the team’s name to Cowboys, along with everything else about it.
Rise Up
In the 1960s, the team struggled financially, and a group of Texan businessmen bought it for $750,000.
They turned it into America’s Team, gaining legions of fans.
The Cowboys went on to win five Super Bowl titles in the 1990s.
A New Beginning
In 1989, Jerry Jones bought the team for $140 million.
The team is now worth an estimated $4 billion. With the help of Jones and new head coach Bill Parcells, they were able to win three Super Bowls in four years. In 1994, the Cowboys lost to the 49ers in a tough battle.
The next year, they were back on top again with another win over the Steelers and won their fifth Super Bowl by defeating John Elway and his Broncos 51-10.
Thanksgiving Day Game
It is an annual tradition for the NFL to play a Thanksgiving Day game.
It is always televised on national television, and every year it has been played, it has been between two NFC teams.
The first Thanksgiving Day game was between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions on November 30th, 1933.
The second was played in 1934, with the Chicago Bears playing against the New York Giants.
Hall Of Fame Players
Emmitt Smith (1990-2004)
Terrell Owens (1996-2003)
Tony Dorsett (1977-1988)
Bob Lilly (1960-1974)
Barry Switzer (1989-1994, 1988-1989 as head coach)
Super Bowls and Championships
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most famous and successful franchises in NFL history.
They’ve won five Super Bowls, been to nine Super Bowls, and have eleven division championships.
The 1985 team is often called America’s Team because they were the most popular team in the United States.
Jerry Jones – Owner, GM, Head Coach, Announcer?
Jerry Jones is the man behind the team.
He is the owner, GM, head coach and announcer for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry was a high school football star and went on to play at Arkansas before becoming a part-owner of the Baltimore Colts in 1973.
When he purchased majority control in 1989, he made headlines by firing Tom Landry, a Hall-of-Fame coach who had been with the team since its inception in 1960.
Never Too Old To Win It All
The Dallas Cowboys were first founded in 1960 and were initially called the ‘Dallas Steers.
In their inaugural season, they went 0-11. They would go on to win the next two seasons before being renamed in honor of General Robert.
Lee, who was a prominent figure in Texas’ Confederate Army.
The team’s legacy is one steeped in controversy, with their early history being marred by allegations of racism and segregation.
2010 Season Recap
The 2010 season was one to forget for the Dallas Cowboys.
Coming off a 2009 season that saw them finish 13-3 and earn their first playoff victory since 1996, this year would be very different for Tony Romo and Co.
The team started 6-4 but then went on to lose seven out of their last nine games, finishing 8-8 on the year and missing the playoffs altogether.
It was a rough end to what could have been a promising season after they had been favorites to win Super Bowl XLV.
2011 NFL Draft Recap
In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded their first round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a second and third round pick.
The trade left them with only six picks in the entire draft. In Round 2, they selected Tyron Smith from USC, who was the first offensive lineman off of the board.
Two defensive backs were drafted early on Day 3, including J.J. Wilcox from Georgia Southern and Matt Johnson from Eastern Washington University.
2012 Offseason Acquisitions Recap
On March 12th, 2012, the Dallas Cowboys signed WR Laurent Robinson and LB Dan Connor to contracts with undisclosed terms.
The team also agreed to re-sign DT Jason Hatcher on March 13th.
On March 14th, running back Tashard Choice agreed to a one-year contract worth $700K. On April 17th, the club signed free agent safety Gerald Sensabaugh from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
