The Dallas Cowboys have been habitual underachievers for almost three decades.
The franchise once dubbed “America’s Team” hasn’t advanced to a conference championship game or Super Bowl since the 1995-96 season. And it hasn’t been for lack of talent or resources, it’s because of on-field performance and an egomaniacal owner in Jerry Jones, who’s still very much involved in the day-to-day while being the league’s fifth-oldest owner.
Over the years Jones has said some very outlandish things, but to take pride in beating Tom Brady for the first time after seven losses might take the cake. Brady, who finally retired for real this time, is 45 and is nowhere near the guy that won seven Super Bowls and played in ten conferences championship games over his illustrious 23-year career.
In an interview at the team’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas, Jones told reporters this.
“I’m proud of that win,” said Jones, speaking to reporters this week at the Senior Bowl.
“I’m going to hold that Tampa Bay win up just like I do that Herschel Walker ball … “
What Is The Herschel Walker Ball?
“When we won one game that first year, in 1989, and that was my prize,” Jones explained.
Jerry Jones on Tom Brady retiring. He compared the only win over Brady in the postseason to the only victory the Cowboys had in 1989. pic.twitter.com/rqR1MD8wON
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 1, 2023
1989 happened to be Jones’ first season as owner of the Cowboys. The Cowboys went 1-15, with that lone win coming against the archrival Washington Redskins. That’s also the year the Cowboys made a franchise-changing trade with Minnesota Vikings for Walker, one that netted them some key pieces in their dynasty which ran from 1992-96, winning three Super Bowls in four seasons.
Jones Happy Over A Win, But Season Ended Following Week
Things in Dallas have gotten so bad that they are now celebrating moral victories.
For a team that’s had back-to-back 12-win seasons end against the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, Jones’ enthusiasm with beating a Tampa Bay team that looked slow, disinterested and disjointed as a unit all season, speaks volumes to where the Cowboys as a franchise are mentally.
Brady’s play regressed, and he also went through a very public divorce from wife Gisele Bündchen. Yes, it was a playoff win for the Cowboys, but it was influenced by many outside factors.
Most Super Bowl Wins in NFL History
Tom Brady 7
Patriots 6
Steelers 6
49ers 5
Cowboys 5 pic.twitter.com/8uXpNNyFND— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 1, 2023
What’s even funnier is during Brady’s career he amassed 35 playoff wins, the most of any player by 19 wins. Joe Montana has 16. Those wins are also seven times the amount the Cowboys had during his career with five. Dig a little deeper and you’ll see that Brady himself has more playoff wins than every NFL franchise other than the Patriots (37), Steelers (36), Cowboys (35).
Cowboys Sticking By Their Struggling QB
QB Dak Prescott had the worst season of his NFL, throwing a league-high 15 interceptions. He failed to justify his $40 million per season salary in the eyes of most Cowboys fans. Earlier this week Jones showed confidence in his signal-caller, saying he believes Dak is their guy for the next 10 seasons, and he’d like to extend his contract.
Another gem from our chat with Jerry Jones he said Dak Prescott will be better and fans should have hope because of QB1 and the team has won 24 games last two seasons. pic.twitter.com/Xxefz6TxW1
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 2, 2023
Jones is a businessman first, and extending Dak would be beneficial for the Cowboys as far as salary cap purposes go. It sounds good to hear him say that, but it’s definitely a blur and silver lining involved.
