I was perusing the online archives of the Dallas Public Library this morning and found this article that is funny (or sad) to reflect on
(I'm posting the entire article because it can't be linked since its part of the digital archive I accessed via the Dallas Public Library):
IN FUTURE HUDDLE, COWBOYS' OWNER WILL CALL ALL PLAYS
The Dallas Morning News - Sunday, February 26, 1989
Readability: 6-7 grade level (Lexile: 960L)
Author: Bernie Miklasz: The Dallas Morning News (DAL)
For 29 years, the Cowboys have been a model of stability, with a consistent and well-defined power structure.
Their two previous owners, Clint Murchison and H.R. "Bum' Bright, were content to remain out of view, out of earshot, silent money men who permitted Cowboys president Tex Schramm, coach Tom Landry and personnel director Gil Brandt to run the three critical phases of the operation.
Enter Jerry Jones, who Saturday became the unofficial new owner of the Cowboys. "This is going to be my life," he said. Jones gave every indication that he will be a much different kind of Cowboys owner: agressive, opinionated, involved and in the limelight.
"He's going to be the most enthusiastic owner the Cowboys have ever had,' said Bright, after announcing his deal with Jones.
Jones' first declaration: The Cowboys, who were 3-13 last season, will be winners in 1989.
"There is no substitute for winning,' Jones said, with considerable gusto. "We must win, we will win. Winning is the name of the game . . . We're going to win this year.'
Said Cowboys offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck, after listening to Jones' initial news conference on the radio: "The guy has a lot of energy. He's the kind of guy a coach would want on a kickoff coverage team.'
Jones, 46, and a native of Little Rock, Ark., will take control of the team after documents are signed and the sale is approved by the NFL.
And Jones will, indeed, take control. For the first time in team history, the Cowboys seemed destined to be operated with a firm hand by the man who owns them. In the past, Murchison and Bright never even had an office at the Cowboys' headquarters. Jones plans to move into one immediately.
"My entire office and my entire business will be at this complex,' Jones said. "I intend to know and have an understanding of the complete situation. An understanding of the player situation, the jocks and socks, the TV (contract).
"There's no way in the world that with my enthusiasm and love for what I'm getting ready to do, and the kind of price I'm paying, that I can look in the mirror if I don't plan to be a part of everything. I want to understand that everyone associated with it is giving it everything that they can do.'
Jones made his management style perfectly clear with his bold, initial move: firing Landry, who certainly is destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jones expressed regret at having to fire Landry to hire University of Miami coach Jimmy Johnson -- his college roomate at Arkansas -- but isn't concerned with a public backlash.
"I've always been open and honest, and I've always said if I'm going into pro football, Jimmy is coming with me,' Jones said.
For 29 years, Schramm has called every shot in the Cowboys' front office. He has been the ultimate front man, eternally hawking the Cowboys and NFL football.
Jones indicated that Schramm, the front man, may have to step back.
"He's standing a little behind tonight,' Jones said in an insensitive remark, pointing over his shoulder to Schramm. For starters, Jones said that from now on, he -- and not Schramm -- will be casting the Cowboys' votes at NFL meetings.
For the past 29 years, Landry has made all the football decisions: cuts, trades, playing time. Jones indicated that those days are over, too. He said he will work closely with Johnson, his friend of 25 years. Jones was a guard on the 1964 Arkansas national championship team that featured Johnson as a defensive tackle.
Jones, unlike Murchison or Bright, has played football extensively and is confident in his knowledge of the game. Jones, who expressed a strong, favorable opinion on UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman on Saturday, made it clear that he also will be having a voice in Dallas' draft-day decisions.
"I'll be a part of every decision,' Jones said. "I won't leave anything to the football people. Certainly, Jimmy Johnson is the football expert on this team. Tex has an enormous background (in the front office). I'm not saying I'm coming into being the football coach. But we're a team. I want to understand everything about the Cowboys.'
On his first night on the job, Jones made the Cowboys understand one thing: he's the boss.
Caption: PHOTO; Jerry Jones' family listens at the first news conference held by the Cowboys' new owner. From left to right: Jones' wife, Gene; daughter Charlotte; and sons Jerry Jr. and Steven (DMN; Richard Michael Pruitt) LOCATION: Jones, Jerral W. "Jerry"
