My Mom and the Dallas Cowboys

In 1968, before the Dallas Cowboys became America's football team, they were the professional team for the state of Texas and under the leadership of coach Tom Landry, they were good, really good. Dandy Don Meredith was the quarterback in charge and he got his nose busted several times during games but kept on making touchdowns. Back then, the Cowboys made the playoffs but didn't go very far since they were a mediocre team. In 1969, Roger Staubach was drafted and he brought them to the promised land. Fans were then hooked!

When my father retired from the Army years ago, my family ended up in Fort Hood, Texas then moved to Houston. During the early seventies, we started watching football games on TV and I remember my mother slowly becoming a Dallas fan. How could you not?! Since the Houston Oilers had such dismal plays, Texas needed a winner. So we all (as a family) got hooked on the success of the Dallas Cowboys. They developed Hall of Fame players throughout those years and we got spoiled with the pride of Texas' football darlings. Eventually, my sister and her friends became huge fans along with the guys and my mom. We were all on board.

Strangely, my Houston friends hated this team, which I'll never understand. It doesn't matter where the team is from in Texas, my family supports and cheers them on especially when they meet the playoffs. My mother, Maura, feels the same way...cheering for our Texas teams! She is now in a nursing home and is in her last years of life but still gets excited when football season is here. Quarterback Tony Romo is her latest football hero. She loves that man and he can do no wrong in her 83 year old eyes! She also refers to the team as “My” Cowboys with such joy in her face.

I still remember my mom in 1995 when they won their latest Super Bowl Championship. She was sooooooooo happy but she always still yelled at the TV with the rest of the fans when a play was not up to her standards. She would jump up and high five anyone around when the boys scored. Mom's energy and sheer jubilation for the game outshone anyone I know. I've never seen a bigger fan! (The Dallas Cowboys made that time joyful even though she lost her baby boy, Edward, a few months before.) So if you are privileged to meet my mom during football season, you will usually see that her room and bulletin board is covered with Cowboys logos and memorabilia. She has been the matriarch of my family and is one of the oldest Cowboys fans in the world!!!! Unfortunately, she has never seen her team or met a Cowboy in person. I hope she hangs on for many more football seasons to come!

Now, my niece Michelle and her friends are huge fans like mom was. They are leading the crusade by having tailgate parties and seeing the games in person wherever they are playing as often as possible. Thank God for the Dallas Cowboys in helping my family stick together through both fumbles and touchdowns.

Love you Mom!

Cal

NOTE: We are also Houston Texans fans but the letdowns every year are tough. Come on Texans!!

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