I started following the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. The Cowboys were a scrappy team with a classy coach. They won their first NFC title in 1970. During the '70s the Cowboys rode a tall horse all the way to multiple Super Bowls.
During the '80s the Cowboys rode a bucking bronco. Due to economic reversals Bum Bright was forced to sell the team. Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. From here I start my list of five worst moments in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, listed in reverse order.
5. Loss to the Detroit Lions in 2011
I'm going with the notion that the latest cut stings the most. A hard fought loss to a good team doesn't bother me. The Detroit Lions of 2011 are a good team. The problem is that we're seeing a continuing pattern of blowing games that the Cowboys should win.
In week one, the Cowboys had the Jets down 24 to 10 only to lose 24 to 27.
In week four the Cowboys had the Detroit Lions down 27 to 3 only to lose 30 to 34. The biggest come from ahead loss in the history of the Cowboys.
After the bye, week six, the Cowboys blow another lead in a loss to the New England Patriots.
4. The last game in Texas Stadium and the first game in the new Cowboy Stadium
On Dec. 20, 2008 the Dallas Cowboys lost their last game played in Texas Stadium to the underdog Baltimore Ravens by the score of 24 to 33. The Cowboys did not play well. That put a bad taste in my mouth.
The Cowboys lost the first game in the new Cowboy Stadium to the New York Giants. Signed on a wall outside the visitors locker room: "Eli Manning 9-20-09 First win in the new stadium." The autograph has since been painted over, but the taste is still there.
3. Jimmy Johnson resigns
On March 29, 1994, Jimmy Johnson resigned from the Dallas Cowboys. Most of us will never know the whole story.
This is another case of Jerry Jones letting his mouth overload his—team. It may be true that any one of 500 coaches could have won a super bowl with the assembled talent. But—maybe not. Jerry Jones likes to talk. He should think first.
Barry Switzer did manage to win Super Bowl XXX . The Cowboys have been looking for a horse to ride since that time. Since Jimmy Johnson resigned 5 coaches have been bucked off. Jason Garret now sits in the saddle.
2. Coach Tom Landry is fired
In 1989 Jerry Jones set up a deal to purchase the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys won one game, lost 15. The record is not the problem.
Jerry Jones installed Jimmy Johnson as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The purchase and coaching change was reported in a press conference. It was two days before Jones had an official meeting with Tom Landry to inform him that he was out of a coaching job. The coaching change was probably inevitable, but it should have been handled with dignity and respect. It was not.
Jerry Jones quickly realized he had made a mistake and tried to do damage control. He never truly succeeded in putting it right.
1. The 2009 Dallas Cowboy's training facility collapse
The Cowboys training facility collapsed in high wind on May 2, 2009. More than 60 players and coaches were in the facility. 12 were injured. The special teams coach, Joe DeCamillis, suffered a broken neck. Rich Behm, a team scouting assistant, was paralyzed from the waist down.
Human tragedy puts into perspective that there might be more important things than winning football games.
Well, there you go. My list of five worst moments in Dallas Cowboys history. Next week let's win a game. Go Cowboys!
