Courtesy of Fonda Bryant
Yes, the final score was Dallas 19, the Carolina Panthers 14. Cowboy fans could breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our team was headed back home on their “steel horse” 3-3, at .500 and back in the thick of things in the NFC East. So you may ask why would some Cowboys fans be disappointed in the Cowboys, my beloved Cowboys, after getting a much needed win against the Panthers? Let’s go back a day before the game and the team arriving at their hotel here in Charlotte.
There were organized fan clubs from Rock Hill, SC as well as one from Richmond, VA. There were people from Gastonia, NC as well as Charleston, SC all coming to greet and welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Charlotte. The anticipation and excitement was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. I mean it is one thing to see the Cowboys on television, but to see the guys you cheer for, curse at, although I don’t curse, and yell at on television in person is a lifetime experience and something that doesn’t happen often here in Charlotte. The last time the Dallas Cowboys had been to Bank of America stadium was December 22nd, 2007, beating the Panthers 20-13. The Cowboys and their fans were long overdue for a reunion.
The Cowboys arrived at the team hotel late evening to fans standing behind a roped off area in front of elevators waiting to take them to their rooms. As the team rounded the corner, they were greeted by cheers and the screams of fans that recognized some of the players and coaches, but to my surprise and disappointment, some of the Dallas Cowboys and their coaches were less than happy to see us.
Courtesy of Fonda Bryant
Tony Romo: I never realized what a warm and beautiful smile he has. When he turned the corner and saw all the Cowboys fans IN Charlotte, he immediately smiled, dimples and all. You could tell by his demeanor he appreciated us being there.
Dez Bryant: (the Shrinking Violet) How can a man that is 6’2, 220 pounds surrounded by his teammates and under no threat in a luxury hotel duck down in the corner near the elevator like a scared child, while wearing Ray Charles shades and act like he’s intimidated by a crowd? Really, Dez? You never cease to amaze me with dumb and childish behavior.
Miles Austin: Is there a smile any bigger in the state of Texas than yours? Seriously, you also like your QB let the fans know with great eye contact you were happy and appreciated us being there for you guys.
Courtesy of Fonda Bryant
Rob Ryan: (the Politician) This man runs his mouth and makes more promises than Obama and Romney combined. He always talks about his defense and what they’re going to do. Yet, when you come to Charlotte and see a lobby full of fans, you turn your head to the elevator like a child who has to stand in the corner. Are you serious?
Jason Garrett (Coach) and Demarcus Ware (Beast): Those two didn’t even have the decency to come through with the team. Instead they must have opted to go another way, probably up on the service elevators, to avoid the crowd. However, in Jason Garrett’s defense if I were coaching a team that settles for being mediocre, I wouldn’t have wanted to face a lobby full of Cowboys fans either. All I can say about Demarcus Ware is that I’m very disappointed you couldn’t even show your face in the lobby.
After seeing the Dallas Cowboys up close and personal, I now know what is wrong with this team. This is a team has a LOT of ME’s and not enough WE’s! Not saying all, but from the attitude of a lot of the players, there was a feeling of entitlement in the air because they play for the team with the star on the helmet. I forgot they have done one thing consistently for their fans. The Cowboys continue to get their fans’ hopes up every year, talk about what they’re going to do, but never make it happen. Jerry Jones adds fuel to that fire by doing his wishful thinking out loud regarding the Super Bowl. If you look at teams like the 49ers, the Bears, and the Green Bay Packers, they have progressively gotten better every season, whereas the Dallas Cowboys seem to be in a holding pattern circling inconsistent play.
Courtesy of Fonda Bryant
Some of the men on this team don’t have a clue as to what it takes to win as a team because they are too busy being more concerned about being on such a high profile team and all that it brings, rather than strapping it on and getting the job done. The fans at the hotel weren’t happy with the attitudes of some of the team members. I think our team is riding the coattails of the past and not trying to make their own winning history. Not everyone on this team wants to work HARD or put the TEAM FIRST. It’s been three years since Dallas has had a winning record (11-5) under Wade Phillips, with the most irritating stat being the last time we made it to post-season play was in 2009, three years ago.
Courtesy of Fonda Bryant
With times being tough and people losing their jobs at an alarming rate, the Cowboys should appreciate the fans being there because the Cowboys have been a bad product for a while. Jerry Jones has put this bad product in a nice, expensive box, meaning their new stadium. They look nice in it. but it’s still the same old bad product. I love my team and I will continue to be a Cowboys fan, but I am disappointed in a team that hasn’t done anything in years and expects us to treat them like they have. Being a Cowboys fan is like having a child that you know is capable of getting all A’s in school, but they continue to come home with C’s and D’s and you don’t understand why. Remember, fellas, there is no “I” in team and no team without the fans!
Well…. I was there from Charleston, SC. I could not agree more! Enough said!!!!
This is just rediculous…poor fanda didnt get attention from every player. Cry me a river and grow up
U need to learn how to spell to begin with…
This would definitely explain why the Cowboys are mediocre at best. Im not a Cowboys fan but Troy, Emmit and Michael knew what it meant to be a champion. They worked hard and they knew that the fans is what makes your team. The star on your helmet does not entitle you to be great. Greatness is forged through hard work, dedication and humbleness. This team seems to have none of that. Until they do, they will never win.
Thank you Fonda. As a fan of 35 years, you’ve expressed everything I’ve felt for the past 15 years or so. It may be just a game, but fans put a lot of energy into this stuff, for whatever reason. And as a result we make athletes very wealthy and provide them with support that no other profession demands. I agree with everything you’ve said. In the midst of complete mediocrity, the least the TEAM can do is show some appreciation that there are still people that care to spend energy on them.
You want to talk about the players being full of themselves. This blog is written by someone with a sense of entitlement.
The players don’t owe the fans ANYTHING a night before a big game. Props to the ones who did want to sign, but it’s not their obligation to sign for you or take a picture with you greedy fans.
Kbye
@MattyIce32. If you don’t think the players owe the fans anything, let the fans not show up to games or buy merchandise. Please the backbone of the NFL is the fans. When guys make it to the league part of the job is dealing with the fans. If they don’t want to, maybe they are in the wrong profession!
Good article, great insights