Are the Dallas Cowboys Still America’s Team?
By Reid Hanson
“De-fense! De-fense! De-fense!” fervently chanted the crowd in Dallas on Sunday afternoon’s season opener. The only problem was…The Cowboys were on offense.
It certainly wasn’t hard to notice the multitude of red-attired spectators throughout the crowd in AT&T stadium. What looked like a patriotic offering of red, white, and blue, was really just an embarrassment to the “Silver & Blue”.
On Sunday afternoon the Dallas Cowboys became the “Arizona Cardinals” of the rivalry relationship. And I don’t have to tell you, being the “Arizona Cardinals” of anything is not good. Never before have we seen an away-crowd dominate a stadium in both numbers and in fan participation like we did on Sunday.
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws his gloves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Where were all the Cowboy fans on Sunday?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that both teams are traveling on contrasting trajectories these days. The 49ers are widely thought of as the best team in the NFL – not named the Seahawks. The Cowboys are very possibly the worst team in the worst division.
Fans saw the writing on the wall and made conscious decisions to watch the game from the safety of their own homes rather than subject themselves to the public humiliation those in attendance were forced to endure.
Can’t really blame them but is this the right attitude to take?
There are contrasting opinions on this issue. Most of us have been raised to support our team at all costs. Keep buying the merchandise and keep attending the games. That’s what makes fans loyal, right?
We argued this point last season when Emory did a fan/financial study and concluded the Cowboys to be America’s Team based on these factors (and more). For a full look at that study, read STILL America’s Team. It’s extremely informative and worth sharing to non-Cowboy fans who talk too much trash.
In the article we look at market, stadium, team performance, and how financially supportive the fanbase is in relationship to everything. Cowboy’s fans are the best because they keep supporting whether the team is doing well or not.
But is that really working out for us?
Aug 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at AT&T Stadium. Denver beat Dallas 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jerry Jones treats the Cowboys like his personal Madden Football game. He plays for fun and without fear of consequence. The Cowboys stink and he’s still making money hand over fist. Sure he wants to win, but only if the Jones family can be the one’s leading the team to victory.
Victory without involvement and proper credit just isn’t enough. If it was, we would see a new GM, President, and Vice President involved in operations. No one interested in winning above-all would tolerate this kind of failure.
Author (Mediocrity in Dallas) and Sport DFW reader, Jeff Stevenson, says the only way to change things in Dallas is to change the way we support the team. Would Jerry start listening if fans stopped attending or would opposing fans just fill in the seats like they did on Sunday?
We all know Jerry will change if he’s financially compelled to, but will Cowboys Nation support such a boycott? Better yet, would boycotting be the right thing to do or would it mean Cowboy Nation is just fair-weather and undeserving?
It’s tough to say. I just had a brand new Dallas Cowboys Nike polo in my online shopping cart yesterday but couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger. Does buying that new shirt indirectly signify that I’m patting Jerry on the back and saying, “Good Job!”
Beats me.
But by the looks of things Cowboys fans are starting to think twice about their unconditional support. Look, there’s no question the Dallas Cowboys are still America’s Team. They have the most fans and the most revenue – by a wide margin. Based on their record the past 15 years, it’s tough to question their blind loyalty either.
For better or for worse things may be changing, and Jerry would be wise to take notice.
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