Deep Blue: Star Power | Dallas Cowboys 2024

picture this a team emerges from the depths of defeat in the early 1960s day a team that is now become the most iconic and valuable franchise in NFL history a team no one can stop talking about the Cowboy's experience has been in the making for 64 years football is whether you love them or you hate them you're going to watch them situation A Football story of heightened visibility and Relentless scrutiny for players coaches and Leadership it can bring unparalleled opportunity for fans it has instilled a sense of passion and pride while Rivals and haters are forced to deal with the Cowboys inherent Allure and the excess of sports Fame this is the enduring power of the star a symbol that transcends the game embodying both the Granger and the tries of the Dallas [Music] Cowboys Roger takes the snap hson once he's going [Music] long move over sweetness make a place for evit [Music] but I'm not going to say a word but I will say one thing right now how about [Applause] [Music] dboy in the 1960s the Dallas Cowboys were born into the NFL not with a bang but with humbling defeat the team hastily assembled an untested struggled to find its footing in a league dominated by established franchises having limited finances and Facilities only added to the daunting task of building a competitive roster from Scrat on two ready last left [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] back in those days everything was exciting even losses because we were starting we were struggling every day was a was a new experience it's taken Visionary leadership and Innovative strategies to transform the Cowboys into a [Music] Powerhouse over the erors of professional football the Cowboys have navigated the pressure pressures and challenges that come with being in the spotlight of the Sports World they've experienced the highs of Super Bowl triumphs and the bleakness of season spent rebuilding but through it all the star has shined bright he didn't lead him but was right on it third and goal from the three shotgun double slot snap his back Romo quarterback draw up the middle runs it in Tony Romo has the first quarterback draw touchdown at Cowboy stadium and Dallas regains the [Applause] lead no stars shine brighter than quarterbacks and the Dallas Cowboys history is emphasized by legendary field generals who have led the team the snap quick set each has brought a unique blend of leaders ship skill and grit to the game and have shouldered the weight of an intense expectation to win that's part of the deal the quarterbacks get paid well they get the notoriety and there's a high price to pay for the recognition they get good or bad Dawn Meredith brought much needed Charisma and toughness to a fledgling franchise performance by scoring four touchdowns you guys want some close-ups Meredith played a significant role in shaping the team's early identity that's a good move go k I love Don and there's a reason they called him Dandy his Charisma and comic nature caught the nation's attention but it wasn't enough to stop the media from criticizing him anytime his performance [Music] faltered it was really a screwed up looking thing I didn't even know what to yeah I think they did I think they missed it cuz I didn't I didn't know what to audible the physical be ings he took on the field wore him down over time Meredith retired unexpectedly at the relatively young age of 31 when you can't emotionally get yourself Geared for a game and mentally you can't concentrate prepare yourself to do your job get out his Cowboys exposure led to numerous opportunities including a successful broadcasting career after his retirement where his personality was on full display they say that all good things must end call it night as Don Meredith hung up his cleats the Dallas Cowboys welcomed a promising Heisman Trophy winner to the team in 1969 for [Music] Three Roger stabach also known as Captain America for his Navy service in Vietnam elevated the Cowboys with his leadership and clutch performances Roger stood out among quarterbacks of his era for his unique combination of athleticism and instinctive playmaking he believed he could do things when the odds were a little bit against him look no further than the hell marry passer he's going long down the near sideline for Drew peon Pon makes the catch of the five he was a leader he was the classiest person unbelievable teammate he was tough as Nails a quarterback you got to keep your Poise you can't uh get overly emotional you've got to be competitive aggressive and give everything you have physically we talk about character being above reproach his was absolutely shiny and he carried that over onto the field as well Roger STC is the standard for quarterbacks for the Cowboys and that bar is as high as it can possibly be Tom Landry is the nuts and bolts and I appreciate him I appreciate apprciate my teammates Through The Years cuz I'm one that's been successful in this system it's been a lot of good ones and there'll be many more good ones but I uh I thank the Cowboys and I'm retired he will forever be considered one of the best to wear the Star Danny White the Dallas Cowboys quarterback from 1980 to 1988 fa the pressure of living up to the high expectations set by his predecessor fans tend to magnetize to the bigger names and rightfully so but somewhere in between that was Danny White keeping this team relevant in the Post Roger starbar days if there was anybody I wouldn't like to copy myself after it would probably be Roger but I'm not going to try to do that I'm going to do the things that Danny White does best the comparisons will come and the criticisms will come based on what Roger did and I realized that he led the Cowboys to three consecutive NFC champion ship games but failed to win any the end of Danny White's career was marked by challenges and diminishing performance when white retired he was respected for his dedication and contributions to the team during a transitional period in history but he was overshadowed by those who came both before and after him Troy Aman was the first draft choice made under the new res dream of owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson try is a very talented player and we knew he had the physical talents we knew he was an intelligent quarterback Aman's role was pivotal in transforming the Cowboys into an offensive machine when they needed him most to be that flat steady personality that's what he was and that's one huge reason why the Cowboys were able to win not one not two but three Super Bowls with Troy Aman at the hill what a ride it's been Roy Aman's the MVP as Aman moved into the later parts of his career he faced a series of several back issues that were exasperated by years of taking hits from NFL defenses he was getting injured some they were losing more games different coaching Style with Barry Switzer I think for him just the frustration just continued to mount because they were losing more than than he was used to [Applause] hey guys that's a embarrassment out there Junior League tired of being a guy who's got to run down everybody's damn throat all the time the penalty of success is often exhaustion after failing to complete the 2000 season due to a back injury amegan retired in April 2001 and you watch it you think that your time will never come now my time's come amman's Legacy is enshrined in the hearts of fans symbolizing a golden era of cowboys history here come the early 2000s post try Amman era and Cowboys fans ran right into the brick wall that had graffiti sprayed on it that read QB Purgatory Quincy Carter Vinnie testy Drew bledo take your pick the franchise and a fan base was spoiled because they always had a quarterback but again because because of the brand the Cowboys franchise was still front and center the Cowboys were lost and in dire need of a star who could guide them out and throw tell you what boys we got a lot to do here we got a lot to do come on kid come on Tony throw it throw it throw it that a boy you got it that a boy Tony that star turned out to be Tony Romo known for his improvisational skills in clutch passes Romo's presence revitalized the Cowboys offense there was Bill parcel's wanting to give this young man a chance his first start in 2006 was promising but the pressure of leading a high-profile team like the Cowboys was immense meanwhile here's dramatica Romo holds oh it is stumbled by Romo and then Romo's going to run to the end zone and he's going to get tackled by Jordan babo I don't know that I've ever felt this slow you know at any point so but Romo's resilience was evident he achieved remarkable success on field and set several franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns he changed everything for this team and really took him to another level one the injuries began to take a toll and eventually led to missed games getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you've ever had was a soul crushing moment for me and through it all you have a tremendous amount of guilt on having having let your teammates fans and organization down they were depending on you to bring them a championship that's what quarterbacks are supposed to do that's how we're judged you see football is a meritocracy you aren't handed anything you earn everything every single day over and over again you have to prove it that's the way the football Works a great example of this is Dak Prescott and what he's done he's earned the right to be our quarterback Romo retired in April of 2017 he's remembered as an exciting player who led the franchise out of the dark gauge that came before Dak Prescott the leader of the modern Cowboys has brought Renewed Energy to the franchise with his Dynamic playmaking ability and onfield Leadership let's have a Daya have a he demonstrates strong arm accuracy mobility and the ability to need game-winning drives Prescott dealt with a severe ankle injury in the 2020 season this injury raised concerns about his long-term durability and his ability to return to Peak form Prescott silence doubters when he came back even better after this injury he is one of the better humans to ever walk through the doors of the Dallas Cowboys organization his work in the community is Bar None he continued to persevere and he continued to use that adversity to make the world a better place our adversity our struggles what we go through is always going to be too much for ourselves and maybe too much for even one or two people but never never too much for a community Dak Prescott has already proven that he can be one of the best Cowboys quarterbacks of all time and then what he has to prove is that he can win the Super Bowl B we've been in the playoffs 15 of the last 16 years and so this this puts a pretty tough burden on you because you not only uh have to look forward to the first objective of winning your division but for the Cowboys the only success is a Super Bowl we now explore the stories of two iconic fig who have shaped the legacy of the Star Tech Shram and Jerry Jones the early 1960s were a crucible for the Cowboys testing their resolve and determination despite early losses the foundation of what was to come was being built off the field by Cowboys general manager Tech Shram after being hired as general manager Shram then hired coach Tom Landry and player Personnel director Gil brt who together transformed the Cowboys into an elite team by the mid 1960s Shram was a powerful figure for the Cowboys and the NFL Tech Shram was such a forward thinker instant replay do you like that Tech Shram do you enjoy watching the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Tech Shram do you enjoy The Scouting process and the analytics portion of IT Tech Shram do you enjoy watching the Cowboys on Thanksgiving while you in enjoy your turkey and helpings with your family text Shram there is a laundry list of innovations that were created in the mind of tech Shram that are now perpetuated onto the NFL as we know it Shram aggressively pursued merchandise and Licensing deals that capitalized on the team's growing popularity the star became one of the most recognizable symbols and sports appearing on everything from jerseys and hats to Consumer products this extensive merchandising ingrained the Cowboys brand into popular culture facing Financial struggles going into the 1980s original owner Clint merchon Jr sold the Cowboys in 1984 to bum brigh a dallas-based businessman and oil magnet by 1988 the Cowboys finished with their worst record since their inaugural season a dismal 313 Bri br's dissatisfaction with this performance made him open to selling the franchise it didn't help that an oil bust had severely strained Bright's finances as well amidst this backdrop a new potential buyer appeared a businessman from Arkansas Jerry Jones it's tough when you break a relationship that we've had for 29 years but we must win Jones acquisition started with a bang earning the IR of many with his controversial decision to fire the franchise's head coach of 29 years the media frenzy that followed was relentless and I really did know how he was revered and respected as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys I basically said coach thing that I do feel is in best interest of everyone is that we make the coaching change right now coach Landry shook my hand uh he was uh Majestic uh he was was just as you would expect coach Landry to be and said I wish you the best and we parted Jerry Jones knew right off the bat the way that Tom Landry situation was handled was wrong he said that two days after it happened he gave himself an F although he was forced to make that decision he never ever lost respect or reverence for what Tom Landry was able to help build shortly after Landry's firing Shram would also bow out Landry would be replaced by Jimmy Johnson the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes proud to be the head football coach for the Dallas Cowboys there could have been better circumstances as far as me coming into this position but I would hope that people would be as excited about this organization about this football team is what I am okay all right well tell you hey that boy looks I hope be run back no he looks good this shakeup planted the seeds of success with Johnson leading the team to backto back Super Bowls however Jones and Johnson's relationship did not sell smoothly when I talk about the Cowboys being on that roller coaster ride I think there is one called Jimmy and Jerry we're going to bring it back about 5 minutes folks to see excited after their last championship the pressure to remain on top finally began to wear on the organization he and Nike are joining forces even in this slump there was one sector that saw revolutionary Improvement under Jones's leadership the Dallas Cowboys aggressively pursued media and sponsorship deals that boasted the prosperity of the franchise and the brand he was instrumental in securing a$1 billion broadcasting deal with Fox Sports which increased League exposure and revenue and he kind of taught the NFL how to run a business how to make money our interest in doing those kinds of things with great companies and of course uh I had hoped that if we could do it well the league could do it well by the early 2000s Texas stadium the iconic home of the Dallas Cowboys was showing signs of age and declining infrastructure the bearers of the star needed a new Battleground to call home the result was AT&T Stadium a worldclass venue that is recognized around the globe [Music] I hope there's some Cowboy fans here Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 his induction recognized his transformative contributions to the sport as his trailblazing Pursuits have shaped the league Jerry bought the team for 140 million today the Cowboys have reached a sports Milestone being valued at over 10 billion [Music] dollar shrams leadership oversaw the Cowboys rise to prominence establishing the Bedrock on which the team still rests Jones built upon this Legacy propelling the franchise into a new era of success with bold business strategies and a desire to prosper I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Tom Landry Tech RAM and Gil Brandt I couldn't have built the Cowboys today if it weren't for what they did the shoulders I stood on I'm deeply indebted to those three okay that's a way to go better way to go 323 323 Red Dog fast okay hot that way okay that's the boy that's the way to go okay that's the way to go that's Tatum you you better be ready I tell you when you go through there if you get through there you better holl Tatum Tom Landry was a football p the schemes and Concepts he brought to Dallas created a juggernaut poang down and then there won't be a so in biggest advantage of the shotgun is getting back deep in a shorter period of time his calm stoic demeanor and trademark Fedora were sketched into the minds of fans you don't even see his face you know exactly who that is and that screams iconic legend for the Cowboys you know everything is confidence in football professional football and you buil confidence over a lot of years Landry led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories and 20 consecutive winning seasons he's the guy that put this franchise on the map think about that 20 consecutive winning season 1966 through 1985 Tom Landry is the most iconic Dallas Cowboy of all time the rise of new Dynamic teams outpaced Landry's playbooks in the 1980s the Cowboys dominance began to weigh and as I've gone through the the game of football through the years I've been able to cope with the defeats and learn how to overcome them to endure to the point that you can come back the next time and compete harder Tom Landry is immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is one of the greatest coaches of all time new Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was on the phone taking charge as he promised he would do meanwhile on the other side of Valley Ranch Tom Landry sat in his office Landry quietly emptied 29 years of his life into cardboard boxes he says he's not bitter change comes with a new owner and that people will forget him soon but there's no forgetting a legend but life goes on for the Cowboys this is the burning desire I have in me to to be the best at that level and this kind of opportunity doesn't come O open open ever again and I've got to do it welcome to Valley Ranch Coach Jimmy Johnson the head coach known for his Fierce leadership was instrumental in initiating one of the most dramatic rebuilds in NFL history ask get over there on that other field and have some stripped down the roster brought in a whole bunch of new guys traded hersel Walker with all the draft picks that we have I really believe that we're going to make some major steps in the next couple years Johnson's coaching style was defined by his demanding expectations and his ability to motivate his players to realize their potential fostering a competitive environment that pushed the team to its limits Jimmy took the worst team in the league and turned them into Champions within four years else I got to say is how about them sitting an almost unachievable bar for any coaches that followed everybody's kind of gotten a kick out of despite the trophy Johnson's relationship with owner Jerry Jones began to fray we have mutually decided that I would no longer be the head football coach with the Dallas Cowboys when Jimmy and Jerry split up nobody really had a good reason and so that that's what made it so tough I really didn't I mean I had a feeling his eventual placement in the Cowboys Ring of Honor symbolizes Jimmy as a cowboy forever [Applause] Barry Switzer became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys After Jimmy Johnson left his arrival marking the start of a continuing cycle of a coach left in the shadow of his predecessors I'm tan rested and ready you know that's all I can say to you I'm ready to go I want to start tomorrow I hope I can do as good a job as Jimmy Johnson that's what you're hoping and that's damn sure what you're hoping that's why I'm here we got a job to do and we going to do it baby Switzer was given a more than capable roster to win a third title in a row and that was the expectation he basically was on his couch goes to coach the team 12 and4 and a trip to the NFC championship game is considered a failure does and goes deep passes incomplete the next year it was like okay you got to win a Super Bowl otherwise this move is you know doesn't work damn disappointed we didn't win last year but I'm going to tell you I don't dwell on I don't dwell on it Life's Too Short let's go on down the road let's do it again this year the Switzer era peaked in his second year when he guided the Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl 30 we did it baby we did it we did it we did it by 1997 amid declining team performance and increasing scrutiny Switzer resigned from his position he successfully managed a talented team to to a Super Bowl victory it was such a well-built Ferrari by Jimmy and Jerry all Barry Switzer had to do was keep it in between the lines and Barry Switzer was able to do that I know we got to throw the ball deep a couple of times okay we are playing so good Chan gayy and Dave Campo each served as head coach for the Dallas Cowboys during a transitional period in the late 1990s and early 2000s they were tasked with guiding a franchise that was navigating the aftermath of its Dynasty era the Cowboys lost INF free agency 25 starters starters they were in cap hell you don't have a quarterback and you don't have a depth you're not going to win any games Chan gayy and Dave Campo illustrate the complexities of leading a high-profile team through periods of change and the intense criticism that comes with the head coaching position of the Dallas Cowboys the opportunity to ask Bill Parcels to be the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys was obvious to me once a championship coach Bill Parcels took over as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 Parcels immediately set about transforming the team's culture emphasizing new philosophies and schemes perfect good job he revamped the roster notably bringing in key players like Marcus wear and Jason Whitten they had had 5 and 11 three straight years pareles was brought in to change that football this is it tonight boys they're playing Carolina 2003 Carolina's good football the and the ball is on the floor Bry James Cowboys had won seven games snap for Quincy three steps no draw pump thing looking pump throws it cl to thezone caught touchdown Galloway throws it out wh C it first down this was by far the best win that I've had here in Dallas and it was hard for game you can't call them losers anymore is there something else now under his guidance the Cowboys returned to the playoffs in 2003 and again in 2006 giving the franchise a jolt of Life hiring of the tuna absolutely reinvigorated the Cowboys fan base and it helped turn the culture round after four seasons with the Cowboys parcel's retired from coaching after the 2006 [Music] season his influence laid the groundwork for the Cowboys to build upon in following years under Wade Phillips the Cowboys experienced immediate success achieving a 13-3 record and winning the NFC east in his first season Victory Monday Phillips defensive expertise was evident but his tenure was marred by inconsistency chaos in Dallas Jerry Jones decided he had seen enough Jones firing Wade Phillips and and he basically lost the team Jerry needed to make the move uh doing things that allow us to win football games under Garrett the Cowboys aimed to build through the draft and all of a sudden Garrett start putting that team back together you know we had some opport unities a few years we're right on the cusp of it and unfortunately in those divisional rounds we couldn't break through and get to the championship game but uh I was so proud of the coaches that we had and the players you know when you're a coach it's such a unique situation to be in this is our Dream play and coach football for the Dallas Cowboys go Embrace that and uh we our best we certainly did that the tenures of Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett are reflective of a franchise striving to rec capture its former glory Mike McCarthy took over as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 his arrival was met with optimism as he was expected to revitalize a talented Cowboys roster while McCarthy's focus on building a resilient team culture has shown current success he still aims to guide the Cowboys back to their former status as Champions the fight is is they haven't won a Super Bowl in 30 years that's not Mike McCarthy's problem but but it is something he has to deal with you know and so uh that's that's why I think the toughest part of being a coach the legacies of Heroes like Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson Loom large amidst this pressure the true essence of being a Cowboys coach shines through to face the challenges headon to inspire their players and to strive for greatness knowing that their efforts are part of a larger story franchise I Ain got nothing to say about nothing go ahead on with all can't walk up here with all the damn cameras around it's getting ridiculous around the Dallas Cowboys have always been more than just a football team they are a lightning rod for both admiration and criticism as the media landscape has evolved the Cowboys have been cast as the Perpetual protagonist and antagonist of the NFL a single misstep can lead to an avalanche of criticism while every Victory as a chance to momentarily quiet the daughters the Cowboys were fortunate enough to start their life as another institution began to experience rapid growth in American Life broadcast television soon the team was in living rooms Across the Nation but not all the attention they gathered that decade was positive in 1963 the team was suddenly the target of the nation's anger after the John F Kennedy assassination President Kennedy got assassinated in Dallas there was this natural hate for anything in Dallas including the Cowboys you got Cowboy fans all over the country right but then you have these other people that hated the Cowboys so you put that together and if they were playing on TV people were either cheering for the Cowboys to win or cheering for the Cowboys to lose and guess what that's still taking place to this day I wanted and felt that the Cowboys should win number one you can't do anything if you don't win but once you win then become a team that is looked on as something special the 1970s saw the Cowboys Ascend to National prominence by the early 1980s ESPN had become a household Dame providing 24-hour Sports coverage that included extensive highlights and live broadcast of cowboy games the 1990s periled a new era of success for the Cowboys the Cowboys constantly Drew high ratings for Prime Time games which in turn increased advertising Revenue three Super Bowl victories ensured lifelong fans were all in on the Cowboys experience the post Dynasty years were marked by critical media analysis of the Cowboys struggles focusing on coaching changes and inconsistent performance es however Jerry Jones continued to leverage the Cowboys popularity to help secure lucrative television contracts for the NFL the fact of the matter is as long as the Cowboys exist and they're not going anywhere TV networks will pay a premium dollar to get them on their broadcast and it's because you and I and everyone else will make sure that we're seated and glued to the tube when that happened [Music] the media knows that you put that star on TV people are going to watch it in the late 2000s social media platforms and smartphones changed the media landscape forever the Cowboys presence on these platforms ensures they remain at the Forefront of sports conversations For Better or Worse Everybody is watching every practice clip every highlight from their home and so with social media now you got a lot more judges lot more critics and the moment is so much more visible than it's ever been for a Cowboys player you just have to know you're going to be one of the most scrutinized athletes on the entire planet but the rewards are also very obvious and glaring as well your name is on a heightened platform more people globally are going to know you if you're looking to build your brand outside of the game so that once you retire you can parlay that into other opportunities couldn't tell by him though stand on the field long enough he the Dallas Cowboys relationship with the media has been a dynamic and evolving one characterized by intense scrutiny and enduring [Applause] Fascination the Dallas Cowboys became Undisputed champions of the National Football League by winning Super Bowl 6 well Tom uh let me say this on behalf of sou life insurance company and I'm sure I speak for the many many uh Cowboy fans all over the country that we're all Mighty proud of you proud of your great staff and your great football team and we're most happy for you well thank you Phil we appreciate that very much course we're we thank a lot of our fans they've supported us through all these years and they mean a lot to our team because it gives us real incentive to do a good job every time we step on the field the Brandt power of the Dallas Cowboys transcends the realm of sports reaching into the very fabric of American culture the star is not merely a logo it is a statement of identity Innovation and tradition in 1978 NFL films coined the term America's team in a highlight reel reflecting the Cowboys widespread popularity and National appeal of course it's a lofty claim and it puts a Target on the franchise it's a title that must be declared with pride and unwavering confidence and Cowboy fans have done that I think when you have such a wide diverse fan base even some struggles doesn't deter true fans if you're a fan you're a fan you don't quit as a fan and I think that the brand is that strong it always has been that strong and I would imagine it continues to be that strong when they watch in person or tune in to their televisions Cowboys fans come with high expectations while Rivals come with resentment The Pride for Cowboys fans needs to come from understanding the legacy of the Dallas Cowboys 100% I understand that as of late it's been a challenge the drought is long and everybody's thirsty just keep in mind that history can in fact repeat itself because everything moves in cycles and that means once the Cowboys do figure out how to get back to the promised land they'll probably stay there full of it fans know what this team has been a team that clawed its way to the top of the ladder from unlikely Beginnings a team that that's fostered a history of innovation and Excellence a team that's had some of the most interesting personalities to take the field they are inheritors of a grand Legacy a legacy emblazoned on every helmet they are the Dallas Cowboys and their star shines 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