If you had been a Cowboys fan from the 70's and 80's, you would have noticed a change in the team, but maybe it was a change in the NFL overall. Tom Landry was a role model and coach that I still repsect greatly. I think Staubach did a great job of maintaining integrity despite success. I'm sure there were problems with certain individuals of this era (Septien for one), but the "America's Team" of theis era was one that could be respected on an individual level.
I was still a Cowboys supporter into the Jimmy Johnson era. I still think Troy Aikman, Jay Novacek, and "Moose" Johnston are great players that stick in my mind. Somewhere the limelight changed the team in that era (in my opinion). I couldn't stomach the personal decisions that some of the players were making (Irvin, Williams, Newton, Lett). I know people aren't perfect, but the personality of the team at that time was one that didn't care about it's fans at all - it was total hedonism. If you weren't a fan then, you would copmpare it to the Bengals today, people openly joke about how much they get arrested.
That is why I stopped following the Cowboys. Not because I hated the organization, but I could no longer support the culture and many of the players. Winning just isn't everything to me if it leaves you feeling dirty.
I really think the Cowboys are rebounding now. They are a totally different organization. It just happens that I started following another team a little over a decade ago and that's who I follow. I wish nothing but the best for the "new" Cowboys.
(that should bring some anger)
