The year is 1976. I live in a cul de sac in Northern Ca. My first best friend is a Mexican boy name Joel Villagomez. He was a Raiders fan. His parents didnt speak much English, but they made the best Root Beer Floats. We would play football in the street. We both had old football helmets that we painted silver and put our team's logo on. It snowed in NorCal and we ran out into his backyard to play 1 on 1 tackle football in the snow.
This old guy lived in the corner of our cul-de-sac. Looking back, Im guessing he was maybe in his late 50s early 60s. I think he was a Korean war vet. Im barely 6 years old. Somehow, he invites me and my 9 year old friend into his house to watch football. He cooks us lunch and he gives us Dr. Peppers. When we were ready for another, me and my friend would sing the Dr. Pepper song from the commercials..... Im a pepper, hes a pepper, shes a pepper, we're a pepper woulnt you like to be a pepper to? Today, people would have looked at the guy like he was a child molester. I think he was just a lonely old vet and he enjoyed having a couple of kids around to share football with. It really was the start of my love of the NFL. We would go to his house every Sunday for 2 seasons.
Next year, I watch the Cowboys win SB12 against the Orange Crush, Denver Broncos. I am hooked, and I am now officially married to the Dallas Cowboys.
1981, Cowboys lose to the NIners in the NFC title game. Im crushed.
Fast Fowrad to 1991. Im living in North Carolina as I am in the Marine Corps. My father-in-law tries to get me tickets for the Giants game in Jersey, but the Giants are coming off a SB winning season, and he cant do it. We had no internet and no secondary market then. So, he gets me tickets to week 15 in Philly. My wife is from Jersey, so she has a lot of family up there. Her uncle agrees to go to the game with me. Now these tickets were bought in Sept. Nobody knew then the significance of this game. A few weeks before the game, my wife's uncles reminds me it is his son's first birthday.... and he cant go. I drive to jersey and stay with family. I then drive to Veterans stadium by myself. I arrive early and park in the street. I get out of my car wearing my Cowboys hat and sweatshirt. I guy just parking his car behind me pops off.. oh great, a Cowboys fan!. This guy walks me to the parking lot and proceeds to feed me and give me some beers at his tailgate. He walks me inside the stadium and shows me where my seats are. An 83 yard Kelvin Martin punt return and we are headed to the playoffs for the first time under Jimmy Johnson.
6 months later I get out of the Marine Corps and return to NorCal to start college. We make the playoffs and are playing filly. Once it was clear we were moving on to play sf the following week, I grab the previous days paper and look in the classifieds. I find someone who was selling tickets for the niners divisional rd game. I call them on the phone and ask if they are selling tickets for next weeks NFC title game. Im in luck... 150 bucks each and I buy 4 tickets.
I work a part time job at Good Guys. They sell all sorts of stuff. My manager knows im going to the game, so he gets ame a kick arse camera from the display case, rings me up as a buyer and tells me to return it after the game. I have no clue how to take pictures with this thing. But, look at my profile pic.... I snapped that as Emmitt was crossing the goal line. 2 niners fans and 2 Cowboys fans were in my car that day. It was a long drive home for the niners fans.
Fast forward to 2008. It is Texas Stadium's last season. Ive been watching games on Tv at this place my entire life. My wife surprises me with tickets to the season opener against Philly. Its Monday night football. The players are coming onto the field with fireworks going off. Im standing there watching this with tears coming down my face. Im as emotional as Ive ever been. My entire childhood is flashing before my eyes. I can not believe I am here. I can not believe im in the stadium where Roger, Tony, Drew and all the other guys I worshiped had played. Wow... my wife is the best ever. I share this experience with my wife and oldest daughter, who is as big a fan as I am. It was incredible.
Thats all it took to create a family tradition. Since the game in 2008, we have been to almost every season opener at home, minus covid seasons. The tradition continues in a couple of weeks as me and my daughter will fly out from Norcal. We have met some great friends along the way that we share the opener with each season.
So this is why I am all about the team. This is why my love for this team is more than any player, or owner. This team is a part of who I am , who my family is. I couldnt walk away if I tried. I am now 55 years old and anxiously awaiting another season. Another opener, and the continuation of a shared love of the NFL and the Cowboys with my daughter.
Here is to another great season...
