Life-long Dallas Cowboys fan here. I have never known anything else. My father left the U.S. Navy when I was two years old and we moved back to East Texas with my grandparents. Grandpa was an avid Cowboys fan and never missed a game. He would sit me on his lap and we would watch the games together. I was hooked.

I have missed one televised game, the day of my grandmother’s funeral — Dallas vs St. Louis, October 19th, 2008. The Cowboys lost that day, pathetically. They gave up thirty four points to one of the NFL’s worst teams. Inexcusable, even without Tony Romo. It’s the Dallas Cowboys, the worlds most famous sports team, and they laid down. I didn’t see it, but I listened to the radio the entire trip home and could visualize the beating we were taking and it cut deep. I was embarrassed, ashamed and let down. It got worse.

The Cowboys fell for the second time in three weeks as the New York Giants thumped us. A bit expected, though, as the Giants were a good team and we weren’t full strength.

Romo’s return seemed as if life eternal sprung into the hearts of fans and his teammates. Dallas would go on to win out in November, beating Washington, San Francisco, and Seattle…

Then came December. Three December losses and all heart ripping. The loss to Pittsburgh started the avalanche. The Cowboys had every chance to win, but late mistakes and the Steelers playmakers wrestled the game right out of our hands.

Any glimmers of hope from the win over the Giants were mercilessly crushed against Baltimore. Two long touchdowns of 82 and 77 yards didn’t just end the game, but drove a stake through the team’s heart and the season. The Cowboys would finish in horrific fashion, losing to the Eagles 44-6. No playoffs, no respect, no heart.

This past season was painful. However, looking back, I realized that it has been painful to watch these Cowboys for a long time. Twelve years without a playoff win; Only the Detroit Lions have been more pathetic.

Why? Jerry Jones is the only constant in this organization for the past twenty years. Even the great Bill Parcells couldn’t overcome Jerry Jones.

Jerry Jones may have brought us three Super Bowl wins, but he may have also cost us two to three more.

Jimmy Johnson, Jerry’s college roommate, built the Dallas Cowboys through the NFL draft. He was smart and knew how to evaluate players. Furthermore, he knew which players’ talents were maximized in his system. It didn’t take long for Jimmy to build the Cowboys, but Jerry’s ego toppled it even quicker. Jimmy Johnson’s replacement, Barry Switzer, did all he could to hold the pieces together. One championship more was squeezed out, but a sense of underachievement lingers for what could have been the best sports dynasty ever.

Bill Parcells encountered the same issues after he took over the team in 2003. Parcells rebuilt a horrible team by bringing in “Parcells Guys” and drafting capable starters. However, Jerry Jones could not stand idle and eventually clashed with Parcells. Terrell Owens, or T.O., was the wedge that broke the board. Jerry worked his way out from under another great coach and patted himself on the back in the process.

Jerry Jones was criticized for hiring Wade Phillips as the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. However, Phillips’ first season accomplishments seemed to vindicate Jerry Jones’ decision — 13-3 regular season record, Division Champs, and a first round bye in the playoffs. Phillips’ player-friendly approach seemingly put this team over the top.

Not so fast as a “one-and-done” sent the Cowboys home early. Still no playoff wins and now criticisms that the Cowboys got too soft. They didn’t have the killer instinct, the will to win, or the coach to out wit the other guy. The eventual Super Bowl champion Giants sent us packing, but, hey, at least we didn’t have to go far…it was a home game.

There is a trend over the past twenty years, and it swivels on Jerry Jones’ enormous ego. When put away, and kept in check, the Dallas Cowboys flourish. Coaches bring in players that are good for the team, and good players want to come here because we are the Dallas Cowboys. There is a certain mystique — America’s Team — and with that comes the pride of playing for something bigger than yourself, you can’t get anywhere else.

However, when things start to roll, when progress picks up and the ball starts to bounce our way, the same ego is unleashed. The selfishness and insecurity of a business man come out and Jerry Jones reveals himself.

He is a credit monger, “Jerry Jones won those Super Bowls in the 90’s and he can do it again.” No. No he didn’t. Jimmy Johnson won those Super Bowls, and Bill Parcells was bringing us back until Jerry unraveled.

It’s time for a change. Jerry the General Manager must go. Jerry Jones however, will not fire himself. Someone must do it for him. As in all industries, a single person is never the top dog. Jerry gets paid just like the rest of do. In fact, we, the fans, employ Jerry Jones the General Manager. Every time we buy a jersey or go to the new stadium, we put money directly into his pocket book. I don’t know about you, but if my employer was still paying me no matter how poorly I was performing, I would keep showing up to work.

I’m not proposing a boycott. That has already been done…I’m supporting it. I’m not giving up my fan hood, and am not asking you to, either. However, I stand here to declare that I have written my last check to Jerry Jones the General Manager…

…and from one life-long Cowboys fan to another, I hope that you join us.

Ron Carter
Dallas Cowboys Fan Since 1984

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