As a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, (40 something years) this isn't easy to do or say. Before I mention it, I know good and well I will catch heat for what I am about to say, mostly from "die hard" and "passionate" Cowboy fans. I will be called every name in the English language as well. But, this is not really "new" news. It has been mentioned several times, and most recently on the NFL Network.
It has to do with the so called title, "America's Team". First, it was bestowed upon the Cowboys BY the media. The 'Boys themselves never proclaimed that title , although a lot of people believe it to be so. Tex Schramm saw it used in an article about the Cowboys, and he took it and ran with it, much as any good businessman would. I believe that anyone open minded enough, will read this, and understand what I'm saying.
But first, Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the SB win. Congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals as well, for making it a game, when no one thought you had a chance, you showed that you could run with the big dogs, instead of pooping on the porch like a puppy, at least on that day, and this recently ended season. One or two plays and it could have very well been a different ending.
I am forever a Cowboys fan of course, but I love the game of professional football, and will watch any and all teams, regardless of record. Yes, even the Lions. With that being said, I think the term "America's Team" should now apply to anyone who runs their business much like the Steelers do, and the Cowboys used to. Being that it is and likely always will be, associated with the Cowboys, what I'm suggesting may not be easy. Certainly I will have a lot of negative comments about it, but this is one country and we're all proud of being American citizens, much as fans are proud of their teams.
A team who manages to keep being competitive, and their players "clean", and how they conduct their business, should wear that title, not so much as to take it away from the 'Boys, but because this is an American game, and each member of each team, for the most part, are Americans. The Cowboys had this honor for a long time, but in the past 13 years, what have they done? I won't go into any specifics about my team, because it's all national news anyway. However, I will say this much. The past 13 years of not even winning one playoff game, and all that goes with it, should be sufficient evidence of whether this team should be "America's Team" or not.
America should be about winning, but also losing in grace. You could say that both the Steelers and Cardinals could be "America's Team" this year. The Giants from last year as well. Although the Pats almost had an undefeated season last year, they did have "spygate". Maybe this title could be done in the way of a trophy of sorts, much like the Lombardi, given to a team who deserves it, maybe for how they conducted business, or represented all that is good about America.
It also might help keep thugs off of the teams, and promote team work.
Just an idea, one of which I think should be now shared with other teams. After all, each team is a part of the NFL, much as we are all Americans and one shouldn't always stand out as being "always the best" when it's not.
On that note, I want to reiterate something I've mentioned before, and hopefully a particular someone will see this;
ATTENTION AND PUBLICITY WILL NEVER WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BRING ATTENTION AND PUBLICITY. Those of you in the know, will understand what I meant by that, and hopefully the Powers That Be, will take note as well.
Ok.....I am now ready for the bashing, and tomato tossing, and I'm sure I'll hear plenty..........."-)
Irina Shayk
Cintia Dicker
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No bashing here... I'm a Cowboy fan too - over 30 yrs. I have sat in the stands when Jimmy first came to Dallas and Aikman took his team to a 1-15 season. I have seen the grow under proper coaching to champions. Those days are gone. Dallas has become somewhat of a laughing stock in this league. Their poor coaching, QB, and other distractions have doomed this team in the past and I don't see how it will change in the next few yrs. I used to defend Jerry Jones, but it's getting harder to do. I finally see what other have been saying about him. His unwillingness to let a GM come in and lead is his downfall. I watch Dallas each week, but it's getting harder and harder. Next season I am going to find another team to follow. Dallas just isn't "Dallas" anymore. America's team..... Not for a long time.
DallasFan77
Tyler, TX
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I respect Pittsburgh fans from Pittsburgh, and I respect Dallas fans from Dallas.
I do NOT, however, respect Pittsburgh/Dallas fans that are not from the Pittsburgh/Dallas areas.
The Giants sukked in the 1970s, but they were the local team so they were MY team.
The above Dallas fan is from Tyler, Texas, I respect that.
But the guy down the hall from me is a Pittsburgh fan from Bloomfield, New Jersey for crying out loud. Sorry, you root for a "foreign" team and you should get no respect.
G-MEN 2007 CHAMPS
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I am not from the Dallas area, but I still live in Texas. In fact, I'm closer to Houston than Dallas. Even when the Oilers were here, I still followed the Cowboys. But, I did watch the Oilers, much as I watch the Texans now, when given a chance. I also get New Orleans broadcasts here as well.
Respecting fans depends on what kind of fan they are. For example, I was on a yahoo blog the other day,and one Steeler fan went to cussing me out, calling me names, and for no apparent reason other than I was a Cowboy fan on a Steeler blog. He got no respect from me because of that. But, you will find that the majority of fans, regardless of team, are good people. We have our share of nitwits much like anyone else. They're usually clueless. But, to disrespect a fan simply because he don't live in the same state as the team, is different. He may be having to work there to support his family, or may be going to college. I don't know, because you didn't mention that.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
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Believe me, Hoss, it won't be easy to change allegiance. You have Cowboy blood in you, much like I do. Too many years of exposure........."-)...........much as I have. We just have to be patient and see what Jerry does this year, and see if the Philadelphia/Baltimore games embarrassed him enough to do something drastic. However, with these reality shows coming up, I have a feeling we have a long, long, long wait.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4039)
Wow, as a Steeler fan I am stunned. You sir have earned my respect. For so long I have had to endure hate and predjudice against my black and gold and a lot of it seems to be for no other reason than they win a game. It's refreshing to hear praise from a rival fan. I personally do not think the steelers want or will accept the name "americas team" as it has already been tainted by the cowboys (sorry, couldn't resist a little good natured ribbing). We are steeler nation, and we are everywhere. Go to almost any country with electricity and televisions and you will find a steeler bar somewhere. We are not 'Americas team', we are global, accepting members from wherever they hail regardless of race, color, or creed. Of that I am more proud than anything about my compatriots.
And as for having to live in w pa to be a fan, bullhooey. That is not what the nation is about. I was born in VA (navy brat) and lived in michigan, va, and florida before coming back home to pa. I was wrapped in a terrible towel when I was born and bled black and gold all my life. I even keep a little jar of my pops ashes with me so we can still enjoy the games together (a little macbre but I am a gravedigger after all).
It's supper time and I gotta go bask in the glow of that trophy. Though I feel bad there has to be a loser, but there is always next year where it starts all over again.
Peace,
~Digr
gravdigr
Tyrone , PA
Total Comments (24)
We may have some differences, but we also have common ground, and it is that commonality that should make us compatriots as well. The game of football is just that, a game and it's fun to watch. Nothing more, nothing less. I served in the U.S. Navy (Desert Shield/Storm period) and you said that you were just a" brat", as you didn't go into any detail whether you served or not. We have some common ground in that regard.
The Steelers need not accept the title of "America's Team", and I can understand that. The Steelers represent every blue collar worker in the world, and I worked construction for much of my life, other than when I joined the Navy, and then again after I got discharged .I know what blue collar is, and I respect every aspect of it. The Cowboys used to represent it as well, at one time. But, suffice to say, they represent every thing I dislike nowadays. Hopefully, one day we'll have a new owner and go in a different direction.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
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"And as for having to live in w pa to be a fan, bullhooey....."........By the way, that stuff about fans living out of state was not from me, but G Men (#2). I agree with you, Digr. It shouldn't make a difference if one lives out of state from their team.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4039)
Yeah, sorry I thought that went without saying. Sometimes I assume more than I should. Gets me in trouble with the wife sometimes. Yeah I was replying to the other guy. I shoulda quoted him hehe.
gravdigr
Tyrone , PA
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Oh, by navy brat I meant my pops was in the navy (I was the brat part). He was crypto tech on the uss spear (sub tender) from 70-80...dates may be a bit off but that was his total service time. He broke his back on a piece of equipment and was discharged. I'm just old enough to remember climbing over the kneeknockers when pops had me on board for a tour.
gravdigr
Tyrone , PA
Total Comments (24)
Anywhere in TX can support the Cowboys as far as I'm concerned. They've been there a heck of a lot longer than the Houston Texans.
And I probably should have clarified my point: a Dallas fan that grew up in Texas but now resides in, say, Florida, still has my respect as a Cowboys fan. I'm referring to those fans that grew up nowhere near Texas, have never been there, and have no association with there at all.
G-MEN 2007 CHAMPS
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you gotta give a legacy invite, or I'd be screwed since I was born in VA. I think what you hate are the trendy fans, the ones that flip flop. Go through their closet and you find 5 different team jerseys as they pick wichever team is trendy that year. I have no respect for those types.
gravdigr
Tyrone , PA
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I figured as much....most "brats" usually were the kids. I was on the USS Simon Lake AS33.....sub tender from 85-89, home ported in Holy Loch, Scotland, where my 20 yr old son was born. Then I went to NTTC Corry Station (Pensacola) where the Crypto school is, but I was staff there and not student.
And, speaking of Steeler brats, I know a gal I chat with in Virtual Places, who lives in Pittsburgh. Been chatting with her for years. In fact, she sent me an e mail with a poem about the Steelers the other day. I seen it on another blog the day after, in fact.
If fans of all teams would take time out from the jabber jawing and cussing each others teams out, they might find out a few things about the others that they may have in common. Nothing wrong with a little ribbing and competition, but it does go overboard a lot.
Time for bed here......BB in the am.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4039)
n0ds.....understand you a bit better now,....thanks.
I'm surprised no Cowboy fan has chunked anything at me yet. They slinging crap like crazy on the 'Boys site , all day and night long.....One said...........
"And on the 7th day, God created the Cowboys, and then came Jerry Jones...................God said......this is not good".................~~laffin~~
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4039)
Quote# 4... Bull_Shirt... you are correct. I've got way too many yrs w/ the Cowboys to jump ship. And I couldn't do it if I was paid. I just hope you are right about the bad games Dallas had this year. I hope it does wake Jerry up and we see at least a few changes this off season. We can't head into a new season w/ no changes and expect to have a different year. Maybe Dan Reeves will help us!!
DallasFan77
Tyler, TX
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Maybe Jerry Springer Jones has Dan coming in to give him (Jerry) advice on general managing duties, and/or to keep him from getting too impulsive with any decisions. Jerry said there was going to be changes, starting with him, so we'll see. I certainly hope so. Now, he has another hurdle to clear, being that the Steelers are one up on us...........again. So, the 'Boys are going to have to get down to business if we're going to keep up with them. Maybe Dan will have his hand in the coaching as well? If he is brought in to do specific things such as what I mentioned, his duties will be generalized and nothing specific, at least to the public.
Since all I am doing is speculating, I may as well go even further into it. It could be that Dan is coming in for the reasons I suggested, but also as a future head coach. Maybe this is a "save face" thing for Jerry and Wade. Let Wade finish out his contract, then maybe become the defensive coordinator. Or, have Dan assist in the head coach thing, as well as help Garrett with play calling, much like Sparano did when we went 13-3. It could be any reason for him coming in, or all of the above and more. Time will tell, but at least there seems to be a glimmer of hope.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4039)
what you are saying makes absolutely no sense. What team do you suppose people from Montana are supposed to root for? And sense you are the expert why would it be expected from me being from North Carolina and a Dallas fan for 20+ years to suddenly switch teams just because we got the Panthers a few years back... Oh yeah and by the way, what does having respect for a fan have to do with anything? Its America Jack! Besides would he have to root for the Jets or Giants in your fantasy world????
lakedawg
Raleigh , NC
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