1989 was a year that had many experiences and impacts on my Cowboys fandom.
Once the announcement was official and we knew Jimmy was going to be our new HC there was a new excitement despite our new owners bumbling of Landry and his socks to jocks ways.
We were getting what many had thought was the best HC coming out . One that had been mentioned before by Tex when Tom finally stepped down.
We weren’t happy how Tom was shown the door but when a legend isn’t willing to walk away not sure if there's a good way out. But regardless it wasn’t handled well.
Beyond that drama we were more excited about Jimmy. At that time we didn’t really know our owner except was another rich oilman who played with Jimmy at Arkansas and was smart enough to bring in what we thought could be our Savior.
The last 3 years with Landry had been difficult and most of us were ready to move on. My father had season tickets since 1972 and had let them go after moving back to his farm when battling cancer. He passed during the 1988 season.
So with the excitement of Jimmy's arrival and prospects of the tide turning and wanting to dive back into attending Cowboy games again which was when my father and I were closest I purchased my first season tickets .
Our new ownership also implemented the Dallas Cowboys Travel Club which was very exciting . Dad had taken me to some road games before along with Super Bowl but this access was much better.
Not only would we be sitting with other Cowboys fans who were either traveling or were Cowboy fans from that area we had a sizable group of Cowboy fans sitting together which also limited us being abused by their fans .
The package not only included tickets and riding with buses with the team to the game but staying in same team hotel which included access to the players, coaches and owner.
We were able to greet the players coming back from practice on Sat afternoon as they came off the bus and had breakfast with one of the coaches . We also had access just bumping into who was roaming around .
It really made us feel like part of the team. When I was younger I had met some players as my uncle was a local college player, had an opportunity to play in NFL and sold life insurance to celebrities and athletes. Prob more golfers than football players. Bob Lilly was a personal friend . My father ran the insurance offices and I ended up working there as well.
But this access was unbelievable on road games . I was part of the first Travel Club attending our first game in New Orleans in the JJ era. We lost 28-0 but the experience was amazing.
In October 1989 I went to Green Bay and was when I first met Jerry at hotel. He was very appreciative. And we thanked him for bringing in Jimmy with the hope of turning things around . The morning of the game I was in line behind him at hotel gift shop and we spoke again. He bought Rolaids.
I can’t say enough about the Travel Club which is the greatest opportunity for a fan to be part of the team and to meet those with the team.
I’ll always cherish those years with Jimmy. I had met Landry after he retired at a Christian Fellowship banquet and he signed my Super Bowl XIII program. It was a moment I’ll cherish forever. And his era is still our greatest . But he didn’t have the dynamic personality of Jimmy. It was so contagious. Jimmy's 5 years were so special. He saved our franchise in every way.
As the years passed I maintained my season tickets up until 2008 but after Jimmy left and how that all went down I lost interest in traveling on the road . I was very angry with our owner . We knew he could be a problem but up until then let Jimmy run the show so we accepted and supported him. He was like someone we had to tolerate to enjoy the success .
In this week of Jimmy's induction into ROH a lot of emotions will be flowing. It’s basically melodramatic after getting his HOF jacket but at least Jethro finally bit the bullet. It’s never too late to do the right thing .
Thanks Jimmy for the memories and the history you left us. I’ll be forever grateful!!
