Cowboys at Redskins 10/29/17
Jerry Jones is Asked to Leave by Dallas Cowboys Supporters: A New Era of Cowboys Football?
For over three decades, Jerry Jones has been the face and voice of the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. His ownership has seen triumph, failure, and controversy, all of which have shaped the narrative of America’s Team. However, in recent years, the friction between Jones and a significant portion of the Cowboys’ fanbase has reached a boiling point. After decades of immense influence, Jerry Jones now finds himself facing an increasingly vocal and passionate group of Dallas Cowboys supporters demanding his departure from the organization he has owned and operated since 1989.
The Rise of Jerry Jones as the Owner of the Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones took control of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, purchasing the team for $140 million, a sum that, at the time, seemed exorbitant. He had a clear vision for the franchise: to make the Cowboys a global brand. Under his ownership, the Cowboys became one of the most successful and widely recognized sports teams in the world. Jones was instrumental in transforming the Cowboys into not just a football team, but a cultural phenomenon.
Jones also changed the business side of the NFL. He was a visionary who introduced lucrative sponsorship deals, transformed the stadium experience, and played a pivotal role in the NFL’s overall profitability. His leadership helped guide the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s. The team’s success in the early years of his tenure cemented his status as a beloved figure in Dallas and beyond.
However, success on the field has not been as forthcoming in recent years, and it is here that the relationship between Jones and the fanbase began to sour.
Decline on the Field
While Jones’ early years as an owner were marked by championship success, the team’s performance has been underwhelming since the mid-1990s. The Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl since their 1995 victory, and despite consistent playoff appearances, they have struggled to advance deep into the postseason. The team’s inability to make the leap into elite status, despite having a roster full of high-profile players, has led many fans to express frustration.
The 2000s and 2010s brought even more challenges. Despite having some of the league’s best players, including stars like Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys failed to consistently challenge for the championship. Some fans attribute this to Jones’ constant involvement in football operations. He’s known to micromanage, and this is often cited as a reason why the team has not been able to reach its full potential.
Over the past two decades, Jones has hired and fired several head coaches, often making high-profile decisions that have sparked controversy. He has been criticized for making personnel decisions without considering input from football professionals, and his insistence on being deeply involved in the team’s day-to-day operations has not always yielded positive results.
The Growing Frustration of Cowboys Fans
The frustration among Cowboys fans has been building for years. In a world where NFL teams are increasingly expected to win, the Cowboys’ inability to capture another Super Bowl since the 1990s has left many disillusioned. The argument that Jones has been unable or unwilling to build a championship-caliber team, combined with his sometimes combative public persona, has created tension with the fanbase.
A growing number of fans have begun questioning whether Jones is truly capable of leading the team to another championship. His age and controversial decisions, including his over-reliance on unproven talent and failure to make necessary changes when things go wrong, have made some feel that he is out of touch with what the team needs to succeed.
Additionally, Jerry Jones’ role as both owner and general manager has become a point of contention. While some have praised him for his boldness and willingness to take risks, others believe that his personal touch on all football-related matters has been detrimental. The Dallas Cowboys have the financial resources to be one of the most dominant teams in the league, yet they remain in a cycle of mediocrity.
The Cowboys’ poor performance in the playoffs over the past two decades has also added fuel to the fire. Despite boasting some of the best talent in the league, including quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and high-caliber defensive players, the team has been unable to make a Super Bowl appearance. For fans, it is not just about regular-season success; it’s about the ultimate prize — a Super Bowl win.
The Call for Jerry Jones to Leave
Recently, this frustration has manifested in vocal demands from Dallas Cowboys supporters for Jerry Jones to step down. Social media platforms, fan forums, and local radio shows have become hotspots for passionate Cowboys fans calling for Jones to sell the team or relinquish control of football operations. Fans have made their dissatisfaction clear, arguing that the team needs fresh leadership and a new direction.
While some have respected Jones for his contributions to the team and its success in the past, others believe that his continued involvement is hindering the franchise’s progress. They argue that it is time for a change, even if that change means Jones stepping away from his position of power. Some of the more vocal critics even claim that the team’s culture has become stale and that new ownership could spark a much-needed revitalization.
The sentiment is not just limited to casual fans; former players and coaches have occasionally chimed in on the issue. Critics of Jones’ leadership argue that his tight grip on decision-making, coupled with his tendency to make rash decisions, has damaged the Cowboys’ ability to build a cohesive and successful team.
Additionally, many fans believe that Jones’ status as the owner of the team has made him resistant to change. His unwillingness to part ways with certain coaches, players, and staff members has fueled the perception that the Cowboys are stuck in a cycle of mediocrity.
Jones’ Legacy: Will It Be Defined by Championship Glory or Franchise Longevity?
One of the challenges in evaluating Jerry Jones’ legacy is that he is an owner who has contributed immensely to the growth of the NFL both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the Cowboys have become one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. His success as a businessman is undeniable, and he played a key role in making the NFL the powerhouse it is today.
However, sports fans are often more concerned with on-field success than business acumen. In the eyes of many, Jerry Jones’ failure to lead the Cowboys to another Super Bowl during his tenure as owner has defined his legacy as a football figure. While the Cowboys may be worth billions, their lack of sustained success on the field has caused many fans to question whether Jones’ ownership has been ultimately detrimental to the team’s aspirations.
Jones is, of course, aware of the mounting criticism. However, he has consistently defended his leadership, pointing to the team’s success in terms of revenue, global recognition, and its continued competitive nature. He often emphasizes the idea that a team’s success is determined by a multitude of factors, not just the ownership or one individual.
What’s Next for the Dallas Cowboys?
As calls for Jerry Jones to step down intensify, the question remains: What’s next for the Dallas Cowboys? While it’s unlikely that Jones will willingly step away anytime soon, it’s clear that the fans’ voices are growing louder. It is difficult to predict whether Jones will make significant changes in his leadership style or if the Cowboys will remain locked in their current cycle of mediocrity.
If Jones were to step down, the franchise would face a crossroads. The question of who would take control of the team is one that many fans would eagerly debate. Would the new owner continue with the current structure, or would they bring in a fresh set of eyes to rework the Cowboys’ approach to football operations?
One thing is certain: the Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads. The demand for Jerry Jones to step down is a reflection of a larger issue — the team’s failure to win a Super Bowl in more than two decades. It remains to be seen whether Jones will bow to the pressure of the fans or continue to pursue his vision for the team, but one thing is clear: the franchise’s next chapter is yet to be written.
