The Dallas Cowboys have long been known as “America’s Team”. The moniker was unveiled in the 1970’s when “Captain America” Roger Staubach led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl championships. The meaning of the term had a resurgence in the 1990’s when Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin dominated the decade, winning three championships along the way. More recently, even in the leaner years for Jerry Jones’ club, you can count on hearing more football fans identifying themselves as Cowboys fans than of any other NFL franchise.
The nationwide popularity of the Cowboys is nothing new or surprising. What has been a more unexpected development in the sports world recently is the emergence on the national scene and support that follows two of Dallas’ other major sports teams, the Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks. Last year, the Rangers, having not made the playoffs since 1999 and never having won a playoff series, took North Texas and much of America by storm with an aggressive, unpredictable brand of sandlot ball that brought an energy and ability to put pressure on opponents that only the eventual World Champion San Francisco Giants ultimately had an answer for. The obvious excitement, complete with unique celebratory hand motions, reminded many fans of the fun they had as little leaguers and earned them plenty of fanfare throughout the course of the season. As the Rangers reached the World Series and the Cowboys trudged to a 6-10 finish, Ron Washington’s club even temporarily usurped the Cowboys’ #1 spot in the hearts of Dallas sports fans.