Bygones and buried hatchets

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Allow me a therapeutic thread to hopefully start a healing process. I need to somewhat bury a weary hatchet. Let it go. Turn a tired page on a decades-long frustration with one of the most Jekyll-and-Hyde people to ever happen upon this earth.

Family can be damn hard to love, even if it's just "football family." But Thanksgivings and Christmases, weddings and funerals, there they are, always, nothing you can do about it. Always glad to see them, even more glad to see them leave. The feeling's likely mutual. Such is, family.

It's time, perhaps the perfect time, to extend a hug long overdue. I'm tired of carrying the weight and angst, especially when part of me can't help but love the man for so many good reasons, despite all the folly and foolishness. Like I said, Jekyll and Hyde.

The Cowboys will dance on our screens tonight for the first time in 2017, and Jerry Jones will be front and center of it all, no doubt. This is his week. Jerry's week. It's a culmination of perhaps the most amazing life of any Cowboy figure in franchise history. "Amazing" carries a lot of definition in all directions, you understand.

Jerry is a talented and passionate man, far more than most. Legendarily so. But he's also a flawed man, again more than most, and it's snagged and tugged at the fabric of this franchise, which until him, was known for the stoic and understated class of the Landry silhouette.

Jerry walked in the door, hung his hunting trophies all over Valley Ranch, and yee-hawed his way to every microphone and spotlight he could find. He hired Jimmy, then convinced himself he was a football man. Jimmy left, and Jerry took a two-handed stranglehold on this franchise, choking the life out of this storied team and all its glory for most of two decades.

I've sat red-faced, smiling impatiently through the confusing colloquialisms and national ridicule. I've paced the floor during his cringe-worthy binges on party and pride. Go home, Jerry, for God's sake. For their sake. Just stop.

I think, finally, he has. Jerry looks today a humbled man, forgiven for the unforgiveable by the people he loved and hurt the most. That's a family built on an undying faith and commitment to each other that reaches far deeper than its fortune and fame. He too often took it for granted, and I think he knows that deeply now.

Evident also is the humility and self-awareness he's conceded to running this team, as he's lightened his grip on the reins and allowed his capable kids and trusted circle a real voice and control beyond just suggestion. Jerry acquiesces now, often, which has changed the structure of football in Dallas in meaningful and positive ways.

Undeniably, through it all, the people around Jerry have always loved him. Family, friends, and even foes. It's palpable, not fabricated, and for very good reason.

There's a good side to Jerry. In fact, a wonderfully good side. He's real, and he honestly cares.

At the heart of this driven man, Jerry loves to elevate people. He wants to share in the success of the journey with those that couldn't get there without him. He wants to share in their joy, and console when they hurt. He feels their emotion as much as they do.

The countless stories of Jerry's gestures to folks in need or despair or loss are impossible to sum up in words. Even those with whom grudges remain. He's at his best when people need him most. That's who he really is when he gets out of his own way.

"Jerry loves people he doesn't even like," his daughter Charlotte has said on occasion with a chuckle. That's who he is behind it all, just a good ole boy never meaning no harm.

Jerry simply loves control, as control freaks tend to do. But his infliction isn't drawn from anything sinister, but rather just pure energy and drive. He wastes no daylight, even when he should, and he's perpetually in motion. That ethic is his greatest strength, and occasionally his Achilles heel.

The Hall of Fame called because Jerry's friends and foes across the league know he's made an impact they never will. They know the NFL has benefitted ten-fold from his presence, and the league will never see another one like him. Forget the football, Jerry is simply unforgettable. That alone makes him an all-timer. I once suggested this honor was unwarranted, but I've re-thought that opinion.

I'm tired of wrestling with my frustration with this man. If he can step back and reflect, then so should I. If the league can honor him for his strengths in spite of the other, then so can I. If his family can love and forgive him, than perhaps I can as well.

Congratulations, Jerry. I'm glad you're my owner after all. Finally.

One of the all time dopest posts I've read anywhere! Thank you for posting.

 

[Trouty]

One of the all time dopest posts I've read anywhere! Thank you for posting.

@erod

It really is, brother.

So beautiful, my man.

 

[Dodger12]

This is why I said you're making no sense -- and you're not.

You're definitely right about that. No rational discussion is taking place here.

I'm more than happy to divest myself of your nonsense. Thanks for ridding me of you.

This is, by far, the wackiest discussion I've ever had on this website out of over 8,000 of them.

I am trying, I really am, to understand what you're trying to say and what your point actually is, but damned is I can figure it out.

I don't wish to offend, so I'll just bid you a good day.

It's CCBoy. That's why the posts makes no sense. I tried to communicate with this person in another thread but was met with the same incoherent babble that CCBoy was known for.

CCBoy's last seen on the forum on July 22, 2017.

@MissAnn joined the forum on July 31, 2017.

 

[Bullflop]

It's CCBoy. That's why the posts makes no sense. I tried to communicate with this person in another thread but was met with the same incoherent babble that CCBoy was known for.

CCBoy's last seen on the forum on July 22, 2017.

@MissAnn joined the forum on July 31, 2017.

Not sure why he'd be disposed to using that name, although there's similarity in the language. It was "interesting," though!

 

[Dodger12]

Not sure why he'd be disposed to using that name, although there's similarity in the language. It was "interesting," though!

I'd recognize that incoherent babble anywhere.

 

[arglebargle]

MissAnn's last name might be Thrope??

No dog in this fight, just couldn't resist the turn of phrase....

 

[Bullflop]

I'd recognize that incoherent babble anywhere.

Anything's possible. Actually, the name would be good cover and the term "this fan" is very familiar. Ditto for the Jerry love.

 

[erod]

MissAnn's last name might be Thrope??

No dog in this fight, just couldn't resist the turn of phrase....

Which was shortened after immigrating to America. Previously "Thropromorphic."

 

[Trouty]

Which was shortened after immigrating to America. Previously "Thropromorphic."

 

[Trouty]

OMG what a pansy. Who would waste that much time dwelling over Jerry Jones.

Is this sarcasm?

 

[Melonfeud]

One of the all time dopest posts I've read anywhere! Thank you for posting.

That it is! I saw this thread a day or so back,,, well,reading that thread header and knowing that little part of the feud that dwells within us all,,,, I skipped out on looking in.

 

[Melonfeud]

.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Thats not entirely true. Jerry does owe us a reasonable product for the price paid. We are paying customers patronizing this sports entertainment presentation they call the NFL.

That entitles us to render our concerns and voice our opinions of encouragement , approval , dissatisfaction and some occasional prodding.

You are welcome to turn off the TV not go to games and not buy merchandise.

There is no legal obligation or liability at all whatsoever on his part.

Then of couse we won 14 games last year.

 

[Diehardblues]

You are welcome to turn off the TV not go to games and not buy merchandise.

There is no legal obligation or liability at all whatsoever on his part.

Then of couse we won 14 games last year.

Are we talking about the same team?
Dallas was 13-4.

And as paying customers to a product we patronage we have every Right to criticize. Jerry even welcomes it which is one of the qualities I totally respect in him . He always takes full responsibility claiming the buck stops with him almost to fault . A glutton for punishment which I'm not afraid to deal out.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Are we talking about the same team?
Dallas was 13-4.

And as paying customers to a product we patronage we have every Right to criticize. Jerry even welcomes it which is one of the qualities I totally respect in him . He always takes full responsibility claiming the buck stops with him almost to fault . A glutton for punishment which I'm not afraid to deal out.

You are entitled to your opinion. That does make it an informed opinion.

You go beyond that though by pretending you are owed something. You are not and you couldn't enforce it if you tried. It's vain glorious nonsense.

 

[Diehardblues]

You are entitled to your opinion. That does make it an informed opinion.

You go beyond that though by pretending you are owed something. You are not and you couldn't enforce it if you tried. It's vain glorious nonsense.

Believe what you will but the NFL is not just a game it's a sports entertainment league and the Cowboys present a product which they rely on our financial and local support and like any business is subject to public criticism from their customers and fans .

It's up to everyone here to decide for themselves what they feel is relevant . I'm not here to persuade or convince you of my opinions but simply to present them.

 

[Diehardblues]

I've found these fan forums don't always represent the pulse of Cowboys Nation here in Dallas area from longtime Cowboy diehards . Hence my screen name.

My opinions are often aligned with the local criticism. My intent is to share and express them regardless of their popularity although with over a 50% like ratio it appears I'm being embraced by enough.

My intent and hope is to present an alternative perspective that's often not in direct correlation with the status quo being dished out from the front office . If it plants a few seeds .. fine. If not that's fine too. Much like in society our fan base can be sharply divided on issues depending on their personal history and beliefs coming in.

We all too often see how we can all take the same facts and spin them to support our opinions and narrative. I thought this was the basis of an open forum not just to cheer our team on.
Thanks

 

[MissAnn]

I've found these fan forums don't always represent the pulse of Cowboys Nation here in Dallas area from longtime Cowboy diehards . Hence my screen name.

My opinions are often aligned with the local criticism. My intent is to share and express them regardless of their popularity although with over a 50% like ratio it appears I'm being embraced by enough.

My intent and hope is to present an alternative perspective that's often not in direct correlation with the status quo being dished out from the front office . If it plants a few seeds .. fine. If not that's fine too. Much like in society our fan base can be sharply divided on issues depending on their personal history and beliefs coming in.

We all too often see how we can all take the same facts and spin them to support our opinions and narrative. I thought this was the basis of an open forum not just to cheer our team on.
Thanks

I applaud your loyalties. I'm a loyal person as well.

We may disagree with some of the directions and motives, but as long as a real discussion is involved, I can live with that.

GO COWBOYS!