Cowboys and Star Wars: A Look Back In Time

Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs during a timeout from the game against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1977
Dallas Cowboys: 12-2, 1st NFC East, winner Super Bowl XII
Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope: May 1977, $775.4 million box office

In the summer of 1977, the United States and then the rest of the world were taken by storm by a new science-fiction film that not only re-defined the genre, but also the entire film and toy industry. Complete with a cast of mostly unheard of talent, Star Wars (originally without ‘A New Hope’ in the title) took special effects to a completely new level.

This was not only a good time for Lucas, but also a great time to be a Cowboys fan.

Having already been to three Super Bowls previously, the ‘Doomsday Defense’ was still very much in force and would make itself a nation-wide household name following a disappointing end to the 1976 campaign when Dallas lost to the Los Angles Rams at Texas Stadium in the divisional round.

Whether “The Force’ was with head coach Tom Landry or not, the Cowboys would enjoy one of the finest seasons in franchise history following the release of the original Star Wars.

School children would wear Cowboys t-shirts while carrying Star Wars lunch pails to school all over the country.

The Cowboys began the season 8-0 before dropping back-to-back games against the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers, who were already winners of two Super Bowls during the decade. Those would be the only two defeats during the only 14-game schedule to follow the release of a Star Wars film in the same year.

The Cowboys complete shutdown of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII at the Louisiana Superdome left no question that the Cowboys, along with Star Wars, would become a national interest for the long haul – this trend exists to this day.

While America’ favorite movie was doing what it did, the Dallas Cowboys were rapidly becoming America’s Team, an unofficial title that’s still confirmed each time this team plays anywhere outside of North Texas.