Tennessean: Blinders on (Dallas) loyalty come off

[Boyzmamacita]

No way this guy was a die-hard lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. No way. He was a casual fan at best. Bandwagoners need not apply.

 

[Little Jr]

I love it. Root for the 90 Cowboy teams and walk away because of one player. Hypocrite!!

 

[InDakWeTrust]

Goodbye John, don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

Does someone listen to 3 6 Mafia?

 

[Hypnotoad]

I don't like the acquisition of Adam, but it's not the last straw for me. In fact, despite the trade (which I oppose), I think Jerry has tried to change the culture of the Cowboys. We'll see what happens, but I can't complain too much when other people's problem children become productive citizens in Dallas.

I feel the culture has always been the same. Jerry likes low risk-high reward investments, just in recent memory: Tank, TO, Columbo, Romo, even Keyshawn to an extent..there are dozens of these kind of players in our franchise history. Tank had legal troubles. TO/Keyshawn had team/media troubles. Columbo was a question mark as he rehabbed. Romo was alot of work, but no cost.

Adam is one of those type of players. We cut him we suffer no cap penalty. Hes not reinstated we get a 4th round pick back. He was a top 10 pick in 2005, and single handedly won games just on returns/ints for TDs for the Titans. The only downside is he does something which shames our reputation, and IMO thats repairable.

 

[CoCo]

Maybe I'm viewing this thing with Silver & Blue glasses.

I understand that the knee-jerk reaction of most of us when we add a player of Pac-man's "character" is that it feels like the team is saying character doesn't matter, hence this "fan's" departure.

But when you stop and think about it since the player is already on "probation" and will be suspended for future character screw-ups there is actually little chance that the guy will have another significant character screw-up and remain a Dallas Cowboy. From that perspective Dallas is simply saying we don't hold the past against you but if you screw up while on our team you will be gone.

Said another way, its one thing to harbor a character screw-up without enforcing any consequences (Tennessee?), but perhaps its a bit different when you stand ready to drop the guy if he has an incident while a member of your team (Dallas?).

Admittedly, its the league forcing that position on the Cowboys.

There are many (and rightfully so) who stand ready to forgive those who confess and repent of their sins. In this case Jerry is just making his move before most are convinced the repentance is real. We shall see.

To boot, Dallas, probably moreso than most teams will no doubt actively engage with Pacman to try to keep him on the straight and narrow. For self-serving reasons? Well at minimum the by-product is. Nevertheless Pacman may stand a better chance at rehabilitation as a member of the Cowboys than if he simply remained banned from the league with no immediate incentive to clean up his act.

I know no one will actually credit Dallas for helping this wayward citizen but its ironic that the org is being criticized for not making character count when in fact signing him up actually will require Pacman to do just that.

 

[Tractor1]

I love my Cowboys but do not care for Pacman. Cowboys were here before Pacman and will be here after Pacman is long gone. In the mean time as long as Pacman is on this team the best I can hope for is he can stay out of trouble.

I've no other choice than remaining a fan, but I hope Adam Jones quickly reverts to his true character eliminating the possibility he'll ever wear the star.

 

[zeromaster]

He left this out of his column:




Now, as I walk away from the Dallas Cowboys, I hold my head high. I still have my dignity. My pride. My virginity.

With the booming sounds of Pacman's hip-hop music in the background, I move on, refusing to turn around and look at this little man who took my team from me ... refusing to turn and see the topless dancers sliding up and down the poles. He made it rain alright. I'm raining tears as I get on with my life and move away from this dreadful, dirty, obscene little fellow who happens to run fast.

Pulitzer!

 

[Brandon]

Commentary: Blinders on loyalty come off

Commentary by JOHN GLENNON • Staff Writer • May 5, 2008


It's an unfortunate byproduct of sports these days that the longer one remains a fan of any team, the better the odds this question will be asked:

How much is too much?
Advertisement

In a day and age when police-blotter activity, drug-testing queries and paternity suits seem to capture almost as much attention as actual athletic exploits, should fans feel a need to respond to their own moral compass?

Should supporters blindly continue to cheer a favorite team, regardless of what questionable characters that means backing? Or is there a line that can be crossed, one where the most diehard booster at long last turns his back on school ties or professional colors?

I ask these questions because I recently discovered my own boundary, and it came in the form of the legendary Pacman Jones.

A lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I have chosen to renounce my favorite team — not a single cheer shall be uttered, not a single high-five offered — as long as Pacman sits on the team's roster.
Trade makes difference

This should have been a difficult decision. My lifelong bond with the Cowboys was forged under mildly challenging childhood circumstances. Growing up in Commanders territory just outside of Washington D.C., I suffered my share of stolen lunch-money, recess tauntings and social stigma for sticking with the stars.

But in reality, there was little hesitation in bidding at least a temporary farewell to my club of choice. Pacman's six arrests, 12 incidents regarding police intervention and ongoing NFL suspension made it impossible to support any team that employed him.

It would have been one thing had the Cowboys drafted Pacman, only to become gradually aware of the monster he was. But it's quite another to trade for — to choose to acquire — a player with a rap sheet.
Not limited to pros

The situation made me wonder how many other fans have come to the end of their sports loyalty rope.

In recent years, the scores of empty seats in Portland's basketball arena suggested that once-rabid fans — the team set an American sports record of 814 straight sellouts — had wearied of the "Jailblazers" many run-ins with the law.

Locally, it's hard to imagine even the most vocal Vols booster hasn't at times wondered what he's supporting, given the football team's penchant for problems. Recently, All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt was arrested in a fifth alcohol-related offense, drawing a five-game suspension and loss of his scholarship.

When do the acts of individuals overpower the desire to support a team? Everyone has a limit. Thanks, Pac, for helping me find mine.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/SPORTS01/805050333/1027/sports01

Bandwagon fan. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.:lombardi:

 

[CosmicCowboy]

Commentary: Blinders on loyalty come off

Commentary by JOHN GLENNON • Staff Writer • May 5, 2008


It's an unfortunate byproduct of sports these days that the longer one remains a fan of any team, the better the odds this question will be asked:

How much is too much?
Advertisement

In a day and age when police-blotter activity, drug-testing queries and paternity suits seem to capture almost as much attention as actual athletic exploits, should fans feel a need to respond to their own moral compass?

Should supporters blindly continue to cheer a favorite team, regardless of what questionable characters that means backing? Or is there a line that can be crossed, one where the most diehard booster at long last turns his back on school ties or professional colors?

I ask these questions because I recently discovered my own boundary, and it came in the form of the legendary Pacman Jones.

A lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I have chosen to renounce my favorite team — not a single cheer shall be uttered, not a single high-five offered — as long as Pacman sits on the team's roster.
Trade makes difference

This should have been a difficult decision. My lifelong bond with the Cowboys was forged under mildly challenging childhood circumstances. Growing up in Commanders territory just outside of Washington D.C., I suffered my share of stolen lunch-money, recess tauntings and social stigma for sticking with the stars.

But in reality, there was little hesitation in bidding at least a temporary farewell to my club of choice. Pacman's six arrests, 12 incidents regarding police intervention and ongoing NFL suspension made it impossible to support any team that employed him.

It would have been one thing had the Cowboys drafted Pacman, only to become gradually aware of the monster he was. But it's quite another to trade for — to choose to acquire — a player with a rap sheet.
Not limited to pros

The situation made me wonder how many other fans have come to the end of their sports loyalty rope.

In recent years, the scores of empty seats in Portland's basketball arena suggested that once-rabid fans — the team set an American sports record of 814 straight sellouts — had wearied of the "Jailblazers" many run-ins with the law.

Locally, it's hard to imagine even the most vocal Vols booster hasn't at times wondered what he's supporting, given the football team's penchant for problems. Recently, All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt was arrested in a fifth alcohol-related offense, drawing a five-game suspension and loss of his scholarship.

When do the acts of individuals overpower the desire to support a team? Everyone has a limit. Thanks, Pac, for helping me find mine.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/SPORTS01/805050333/1027/sports01

What a Lum

 

[arync]

I'm a cowboy fan regardless of who they put on that field as long as they can play. I don't care if they let OJ carry the rock a few times a game as long as he got positive yards. I'm down with the boys til the end!

 

[Established1971]

I hate pacman more than anyone, but I would never stop rooting for my team. That is pretty silly. I sort of did that with the yankees when they traded wells for clemens, but after mattingly retired they have never been the same anyway.

.

no they just won the WS 4 of the following 5 years after he retired. Good bit of trivia - the Yanks made the WS in 1981 and not again until 1996. Mattingly's career was 82-95. He just missed it on both ends of his career.

 

[Doomsday101]

I've no other choice than remaining a fan, but I hope Adam Jones quickly reverts to his true character eliminating the possibility he'll ever wear the star.

I was a Cowboy fan when Duane Thomas was our RB and like many Cowboy fans of that time I was sick and tired of his attitude and lost no sleep when Dallas released him. While he was with the team I expected him to perform when he was on the field but did not care for the guy.

With Pacman I expect the same, when he is on the field I expect him to go out and do the job but as far as him as a person I could careless about the guy if he reinstated great if not great.

As far as am concerned the Cowboys organization is bigger than any one individual

 

[coach316]

To me the team, as a whole, is more important than the individuals that make up the team. While I cheer and root for players making good plays, it's only because they are part of the Cowboys team.

I've never been a fan of Deion Sanders, Terrell Owens and now Adam Jones as players.

But as part of the team I respect their play and abilities as it pertains to the whole of the team. I may not like them as a player but Sanders and Owens were/are one of the best players at their positions, and they've helped the TEAM. Why would I wanna give up loyalty to my team simply because I didn't like 1 of 53 people?

 

[sonnyboy]

I've no other choice than remaining a fan, but I hope Adam Jones quickly reverts to his true character eliminating the possibility he'll ever wear the star.

I cant understand this mentality.

Me.....I want to win. That's what matters most to me.

Their is a certain little truth some of you people need to come to realize and here it is....... If had the chance to get to know all 53 players who will make up the 2008 Dallas Cowboys, you would find more than one player you couldnt stand. I could guarantee it. You'd find at least 3-5 real a-holes. Guys you couldnt stand. People who you felt didnt deserve to be Dallas Cowboys or enjoy the privledge of being an NFL player.

You'd find some of these guys on ever team.

I'll deal with a few more a-holes to win.

 

[Dallas]

He left this out of his column:




Now, as I walk away from the Dallas Cowboys, I hold my head high. I still have my dignity. My pride. My virginity.

With the booming sounds of Pacman's hip-hop music in the background, I move on, refusing to turn around and look at this little man who took my team from me ... refusing to turn and see the topless dancers sliding up and down the poles. He made it rain alright. I'm raining tears as I get on with my life and move away from this dreadful, dirty, obscene little fellow who happens to run fast.

That made me cry Chief. Thank you! Thank you!

Who says men can't relate w/ emotion?

 

[arglebargle]

If Pac-Man had been traded to the Commanders, would there be this upswelling of understanding, and tepid support? Not only no, but....

I am sure that many folks here were posting damning things about Pac-Man, back when he was the Titans problem. Any other team going and getting him would not have garnered this turn around from Cowboys' fans.

Desperation for a playoff victory is indeed strong. But loose cannons can hit both sides. I have no faith that this guy has gotten over his stooopid. At least he won't cost much to jetison when he screws up. Personally, I hope he doesn't get re-instated, so the Cowboys can go on to win an untainted Superbowl. And get another 4th round pick next year.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Wow.

Fair-weathered.

 

[DCfaninDC]

I can see where the guy is coming from. Somewhere amongst winning at all cost, video taping and signal stealing, steroids, getting arrested...etc. we might be able to find the game of football. You can't get players who will play like real men and play to honor the logo on his helmet and jersey. Not all, but many players' loyalty will change to the name that endorses their check. The new FA and new laws drive me crazy at times and has made this a lot closer to business transaction than a sport. "Hey Mr. Fan, you pay us and we will put up a show for you, hope you like it."

With all of that being said, there is no way I give up on the Cowboys because of one player.

 

[Tractor1]

I cant understand this mentality.

No one wants the Cowboys to win more than I do, but there should be a limit as to what length an organization will go to achieve success. Adam Jones' character is questionable at best, and criminal at worst. I might find other players on the Cowboys objectionable, just as I do some people in life, but personality conflicts aren't the same as demonstrated character flaws. Whether you do or don't understand the mentality I hope that Commissioner Goodell refuses Adam Jones reinstatement and he is never able to wear a Cowboys uniform.

 

[AmishCowboy]

See Ya Mr Glennon, don't come back on the Bandwagon any time soon!