What was your worst year to be a Cowboys Fan?

Jumbo075 · Apr 9, 2020

What was your worst year as a Cowboys fan?

Mine was 1988. In my lifetime, which started in 1965, the Cowboys had never won less than 7 games in a season, except for the strike shortened 1982 season, when they went 6-3 and made the NFL championship game for the 3rd straight season. And they had only 3 seasons of 7 wins (1965, 1986 & 1987) in that time. At the age of 23, I had witnessed 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966-1985. The Cowboys had started 6-2 in 1986 on their way to a 21st winning season, only to crater to a 1-7 finish after Danny White was injured, and Steve Pelleur took over at Quarterback. 1986 was their first losing season since 1964, and the first I had ever witnessed.

To watch Tom Landry suffer through the humiliation of a 3-13 season in 1988 was excruciating. That was BEFORE he got fired in February 1989.

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country · Apr 9, 2020

Jumbo075 said:
What was your worst year as a Cowboys fan?

Mine was 1988. In my lifetime, which started in 1965, the Cowboys had never won less than 7 games in a season, except forthe strike shortened 1982 season, when they went 6-3 and made the NFL championship game for the 3rd straight season. To watch Tom Landry suffer through the humiliation of a 3-13 season was excruciating.

1-15. Was the worst. Landry was gone and we had a hot headed new owner.

Teague31 · Apr 9, 2020

The Campo years were pretty tough. I’ll never ever be able to get that picture of him in a wetsuit at sea world out of my head.

cowboysfan99 · Apr 9, 2020

My first memories of following the Cowboys were in 1989, but I was too young to really care that they had only won 1 game that season.

I think the worst for me were those three straight 5-11 seasons. Although 2017-2019 were pretty bad too. I couldn't even make myself care after that Packers playoff loss and knowing we were just going to continue to waste seasons on a coach whose ceiling was the divisional round.

Ranched · Apr 9, 2020

Carson · Apr 9, 2020

Any of those 5-11 Campo years. Growing up in DC and being in high school around those times. Brutal

big dog cowboy · Apr 9, 2020

There were hard times in the 60's. But the feeling was they were building a great team and would eventually win a championship. It took longer than expected but at least there was always hope.

In the post-Aikman days of Campo and those garbage years it was really tough. During the multiple 5-11 seasons I always remember saying, this is as bad as the end of the Landry days and the 3-13 season.

Too specifically pick one year I would agree with the OP and say 1988. Hope was at an all time low. It was bad and didn't look like it was going to get any better any time soon.

Redball Express · Apr 9, 2020

Jumbo075 said:
What was your worst year as a Cowboys fan?

Mine was 1988. In my lifetime, which started in 1965, the Cowboys had never won less than 7 games in a season, except for the strike shortened 1982 season, when they went 6-3 and made the NFL championship game for the 3rd straight season. And they had only 3 seasons of 7 wins (1965, 1986 & 1987) in that time. At the age of 23, I had witnessed 20 consecutive winning seasons. The Cowboys had started 6-2 in 1986 on their way to a 21st winning season, only to see them crater to a 1-7 finish and have their first losing campaign since 1964 after Danny White was injured, and Steve Pelleur took over at Quarterback.

To watch Tom Landry suffer through the humiliation of a 3-13 season was excruciating. That was BEFORE he got fired in February 1989.

After the loss in the 1971 SB.

We lost on a controversial tipped ball call involving Mel Renfro and Mackey, the Colts TE.

Retro always denied it happened and I believed him.

But the next year was complete vindication when we won the the SB for first time..

MWH1967 · Apr 9, 2020

SeanLee50 said:
Any of those 5-11 Campo years. Growing up in DC and being in high school around those times. Brutal

Hawkeye19 · Apr 9, 2020

The ending of the 2008 season was just abysmal and stands out in my mind as utterly horrid. I was living in the UK at the time and was staying up late to watch the games... and for us to have a shot at the playoffs and to get absolutely destroyed in Philly 44-6 was crushing

I came away embarrassed, frustrated, and with very little hope. And I was pissed. Yes— very pissed lol

Reverend Conehead · Apr 9, 2020

1986. I was living in Commie Niner country, and the Cowboys started 6 and 2, but Danny White got hurt and out for the season, and we finished 7 and 9. It was a bummer.

dckid · Apr 9, 2020

Jumbo075 said:
What was your worst year as a Cowboys fan?

Mine was 1988. In my lifetime, which started in 1965, the Cowboys had never won less than 7 games in a season, except for the strike shortened 1982 season, when they went 6-3 and made the NFL championship game for the 3rd straight season. And they had only 3 seasons of 7 wins (1965, 1986 & 1987) in that time. At the age of 23, I had witnessed 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966-1985. The Cowboys had started 6-2 in 1986 on their way to a 21st winning season, only to see them crater to a 1-7 finish after Danny White was injured, and Steve Pelleur took over at Quarterback. 1986 was their first losing season since 1964, and the first I had ever witnessed.

To watch Tom Landry suffer through the humiliation of a 3-13 season in 1988 was excruciating. That was BEFORE he got fired in February 1989.

Great question. The first Cowboy game i can remember is Monday night Dallas won 31-30, 1983. Having seen the Cowboys get blown out by the bears in 85, 87 &88 Landry's demise.
89 going 1-15, others have mentioned Campo, Switzer, etc, etc
My worst year was when Jerry let Jimmy leave in the winter of 1994. Bar none that was the worst moment. Doesn't seem right that after back to back SB's that 1994 would be the worst but the fact is that is the 25 year curse we are living in.

Miller · Apr 9, 2020

Jumbo075 said:
What was your worst year as a Cowboys fan?

Mine was 1988. In my lifetime, which started in 1965, the Cowboys had never won less than 7 games in a season, except for the strike shortened 1982 season, when they went 6-3 and made the NFL championship game for the 3rd straight season. And they had only 3 seasons of 7 wins (1965, 1986 & 1987) in that time. At the age of 23, I had witnessed 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966-1985. The Cowboys had started 6-2 in 1986 on their way to a 21st winning season, only to crater to a 1-7 finish after Danny White was injured, and Steve Pelleur took over at Quarterback. 1986 was their first losing season since 1964, and the first I had ever witnessed.

To watch Tom Landry suffer through the humiliation of a 3-13 season in 1988 was excruciating. That was BEFORE he got fired in February 1989.

This may be mine too. I actually enjoyed the 1-15 year because there were no expectations, we had Troy and honestly the players we had played their butt off every game. That Cards game where Troy got popped on the chin was a favorite and it was a loss. So the 1988 was tough because you knew the era was over. I started around 1975 as a kid and never really saw losing snd expectations were ALWAYS SB

12+88=7 · Apr 9, 2020

I was fortunate to start being a fan of the team in '68.

I used to joke to other fans that before the season started Dallas had their invitation to the playoffs already.

That all stopped in 1985 when Dallas was embarrassed by Los Angeles 20-0 in the playoffs. That started a 5 year period that changed my mindset on the team's expectations.

I started taking each season individually. No matter if Dallas won a championship or went 0-16 it was the same. Put it behind you and start anew.

This mindset has been a blessing because once the year ends, I can't wait for the new one to begin. Free agency, the draft, OTAs, training camp, and of course the season. Then wash, rinse, and repeat.

Trust me, if you take each season individually and don't dwell on the past you will enjoy every year, no matter the result.

KJJ · Apr 9, 2020

The 1989 season was the worst for me. With Jimmy and Jerry coming in and Troy Aikman the number one overall pick I was really excited about that season and never expected the team to be even worse than the 88 team. I didn’t expect the team to be great in 89 but I thought they would make some progress and win at least 6 or 7 games. That season made me really question if Jimmy and Jerry knew what the hell they were doing. Even with all the draft picks the team got in the Herschel Walker trade many thought the Cowboys were fools for trading him. With all the jokes being made about Jimmy and Jerry and the Cowboys 1-15 season that was the lowest point for me as a Cowboys fan.

Hook'em#11 · Apr 9, 2020

I would think the 1988 season, but, 2000's, pick any early year. 1988 , knew the team wouldn't be great. But, get spoiled in the 90's with 3 bowl wins and then have 2000's come? Ughhhh..

Course. 2020 could shape up to be the worst of all.

MoistMayonnaise · Apr 9, 2020

Last year was pretty bad, comparable to 1989 in terms of me being miserable.

fivetwos · Apr 9, 2020

2000 was pretty awful.

No first rounder because of Galloway, who blew up his knee.

Campos was the coach.

Randall Cunningham was the QB.

That really had to be a low point.

fivetwos · Apr 9, 2020

How can 1989 be viewed as an all time low point when we just got a cant miss franchise QB, and had a TON of high draft picks ahead?

See 2000 for very little hope.

unionjack8 · Apr 9, 2020

Quite simple
Any answer other than the Garrett years is incorrect.

I don't think a coach in history has wasted as much talent as he did during his span here. I utterly despise the man....

What was your worst year to be a Cowboys Fan?

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Defender of the Star

Well-Known Member

"We Are Penn State"

Well-Known Member

THE BIG DOG

All Aboard!!!

The Cook

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS TEXASFROG

Well-Known Member

You Have an Axe to Grind

Well-Known Member

Devil's Advocate

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member