Whoever says Dallas Cowboys fans live in the past… Well, they’re not wrong. When it comes to football, I can’t seem to ever break free from the 1990s, especially around 1993/1994. You know, when a team dubbed “America’s Team” won back-to-back Super Bowls. And just for fun, they let San Francisco advance in 1995 to go on and win the title. But then took back the championship in 1996. Yeah, that “America’s Team.”
Now to say the Cowboys aren’t a good football team would be insulting. They’re good. Except when it comes time to head to playoffs. For what seems like decades now, they just can’t jump that last hurdle, no matter what player and coaching changes Jerry Jones makes.
But taking a look back into the end of the 20th century (still so weird to say), you have yourself some pretty incredible football. So let’s do it!
The Players
The player roster certainly came together nicely in 1992. Rookies from all over the country joining together to become a football powerhouse. You had Troy Aikman, quarterback from UCLA. Emmitt Smith, running back from the University of Florida (although my cousin will forever remind me he is actually from Pensacola). And Michael Irvin, wide receiver from the University of Miami.
For anyone who knows me (and knew me back then) understands my love for Troy Aikman. Or maybe it was an obsession? Anyway, this elementary school aged girl had posters of Troy Aikman covering my bedroom walls; while my other friends rocked New Kids on the Block.
My parents were (and still are) avid football fans and the games were on every Sunday at our house. I remember being so excited to watch the Cowboys play and then going to school that Monday and smack talk with the San Francisco 49ers fans in my class.
The Coaches
Before the endless rotation through management and coaching staff, the Cowboys got themselves Jimmy Johnson, the second head coach of the team since their beginning. It was Johnson’s ability to make good draft picks and trades that allowed him to form this 90s dream team. He carried the team through back-to-back championships. But the true colors of Jerry Jones came to light after the 1994 win, and he and Johnson got into it after Jones publicly hurled insults, and Johnson left the team.
The Cheerleaders
Now, you can’t have “America’s Team” without having “America’s Cheerleaders.” And boy, did the Cowboys have the best of the best. It was almost prestigious to become a member of the Dallas Cowboys cheer squad. With their sexy mid-drifts, iconic fringe, and super high kicks, these women were stars. And young girls all over the country aspired to cheer for the Cowboys.
Nowadays it seems like all Cowboys fans really do live in the past. Even though the team isn’t as strong as they once were, the fans will never give up on them. It truly was an incredible era of American football.
Every season I join a “Pick the Pro” competition with my folks and I can never say “the Cowboys aren’t going to win this one.” Probably hinders my chances of ever winning anything like this, but my heart won’t let me stray.
For anyone wanting to hop aboard the bandwagon, even just for a couple of hours, Netflix recently released a documentary on the 1990s Dallas Cowboys which is totally worth checking out. Go Cowboys!