When the back complained Robert Kirley, “A Packed Stadium Will Greet Walker,” Times (London), September 15, 1989.
“We might have an interest,” Lynn said, playing coy. Bob Ackles with Ian Mulgrew, The Water Boy: From the Sidelines to the Owner’s Box, p. 155.
Wrote Mike Rabun of United Press International: “Let’s go over this one more time Mike Rabun, “Why Did the Cowboys Trade Herschel Walker?” United Press International, October 16, 1989.
The Cowboys had paid him a $1.25 million “exit bonus” Ron St. Angelo and Norm Hitzges, Greatest Team Ever, p. 26.
In his debut with the Vikings, Walker Peter King, “Sudden Impact,” Sports Illustrated, October 18, 1989.
Wrote Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post: Michael Wilbon, “Walker’s 148 Yards Make Vikings Look Super,” Washington Post, October 15, 1989.
A hot T-shirt in town read THE H-BOMB HAS LANDED ON MINNESOTA. Jill Lieber, “Please, Let Me Run.”
“When we brought him here, there went our Super Bowl hopes,” said Vikings safety Joey Browner. ESPN; interview with Joey Browner, “The Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame the Minnesota Vikings for Trading Herschel Walker on October of 1989.”
Months after the deal was completed, Jones and Lynn met in a conference room Jim Dent, King of the Cowboys, p. 120.
“We are making progress,” Johnson said afterward. Tim Cowlishaw, “Alone at the Bottom,” Dallas Morning News, October 16, 1989.
By now, life at Valley Ranch was unbearable Eugene Signorini, “Fans in Dallas Losing Interest in 0–8 Cowboys,” Oregonian, October 31, 1989.
Ed Werder of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram summed up the bleakness Ed Werder, “Report Card Won’t Make Cowboys Proud,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, November 2, 1989.
The Eagles not only won, 27–0, but left the Cowboys looking foolish. “Johnson Claims Bounty Was Set,” Washington Post, November 14, 1989.
“Sunday’s futile finish for the Cowboys was an appropriate Randy Galloway, “Not Everyone Thought Cowbows Franchise Would Revive,” Orange County Register, January 1, 1993.
Some fifteen hundred miles away Tom Landry Dave Anderson, “America’s Ex-Coach Assesses the Cowboys,” New York Times, December 17, 1989.
Chapter 7: Welcome to the Emmitt Zone
As he walked toward the podium in a Valley Ranch Emmitt Smith, The Emmitt Zone, p. 106.
His first two cravings, USC linebacker Junior Seau and Ron St. Angelo and Norm Hitzges, Greatest Team Ever, p. 31.
When Howell dismissed the offer as insulting Ken Brazzel, “Holdout Jones Agrees to Cowboys’ Terms,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, August 4, 1990.
In Gainesville, Smith was strolling to and from classes John Romano, “Emmitt’s in Motion: He Makes the Catch,” St. Petersburg Times, August 28, 1990.
Not only was Timmy Smith heading the depth chart “Cowboys Trade for Alonzo Highsmith,” United Press International, September 3, 1990.
Afterward, a distraught Henning took exaggerated pulls Don Patterson, “Chargers Fake Themselves Out of It,” Los Angeles Times, September 10, 1990.
“In two years Aikman will be the best quarterback in the NFL,” Jeff Hardie, “Foe’s Are Counting on Aikman’s Arrival,” Washington Times, September 18, 1990.
The following year Shula was enrolled in the University of Baltimore Law School when Wally English Gerald Eskenazi, “Shula Son Works His Own Way,” New York Times, January 14, 1985.
Any hope of a Shula-Smith bond died in the aftermath Smith, p. 118.
Finally, after the Week 10 loss to San Francisco dropped Ibid., p. 120.
During the game, many in the press box noticed a striking sight Mike Rabun, “Cowboys Coach and Quarterback Try Talking,” United Press International, November 19, 1990.
“Everybody in this league knows the road to toughness runs right John Hawkins, “Eagles KO Aikman, Cowboys,” Washington Times, December 24, 1990.
In the locker room after the game, Johnson was in a foul mood. Rick Gosselin, “Losing Cowboys Are Left in Limbo,” Dallas Morning News, December 31, 1990.
Chapter 8: Making a Run at This Thing
While attending Primitive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale Julie Lyons, “Back in Bounds,” Dallas Observer, September 5, 2001.
Growing up in a modest three-bedroom Sally Jenkins, “The Mouth That Roars,” Sports Illustrated, October 25, 1991.
From Monday through Saturday Walter woke up at 4:30 A.M. Ian Thomsen, “Irvin: It’s Not Child’s Play,” Boston Globe, December 30, 1987.
As a young teenager Irvin spent his summer days alongside his father Sally Jenkins, “The Mouth That Roars.”
“Toward the end I’d take my father to the doctor for visits,” Irvin said. Richard Rosenblatt, Michael Irvin, p. 19.
On a fall afternoon during his senior year Sally Jenkins, “The Mouth That Roars.”
To many, what stood out most was his brashness. Rosenblatt, pp. 30–31.
On the day of the 1988 draft, Peter King, “A Mouthful,” Sports Illustrated, November 18, 1991.
In one of his first training camp scrimmages, Irvin wrestled Bernie Miklasz, “Dallas Gets Wake-Up Call,” Sporting News, September 26, 1988.
To visiting scouts, he would halfheartedly brag Randy Galloway, “Proving His Critics Wrong,” Boston Globe, December 27, 1991.
“Even I was scared,” said Irvin. Gary Shelton, “Irvin’s Ego a Motivating Source for Cowboys,” Ottawa Citizen, December 27, 1991.
His entire system was based on speed Harry Lister, “Turner Brings Offense of ’90s to Cowboys,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, April 27, 1991.
Dallas, in the words of Morning News writer Rick Gosselin Rick Gosselin, “Cowboys Rock Around Clock, 26–14,” Dallas Morning News, September 2, 1991.
“Mismatch alert!” warned the Washington Times. Dave the Predictor, “Redskins Look Like a Lock,” Washington Times, September 6, 1991.
“I’m disappointed,” said Johnson. Mike Rabun, “Johnson Likes Cowboys, if Not Results,” United Press International, September 10, 1991.
In their first twenty games together, Aikman and Irvin Richie Whitt, “Aikman and Irvin Ignite Cowboys,” Washington Times, November 21, 1991.
“We’re like Paula Abdul’s song ‘Opposites Attract,’” said Irvin. Peter King, “A Mouthful.”
Oh, how the mighty have fallen Steve Wulf, “A Poem About the Cowboys Brings Down the House,” Sports Illustrated, December 9, 1991.
“I’ll live to avenge that game,” said Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh. Fred Mitchell, “Bears Lick Wounds—and Vow Revenge,” Chicago Tribune, December 24, 1991.
Two days earlier Smith had donned a Santa Claus Bob Oates, “Get Call of Wild,” Los Angeles Times, December 26, 1991.
Afterward, Johnson gave what many consider to be the best post-game speech of his career. Bob Ackles with Ian Mulgrew, The Water Boy: From the Sidelines to the Owner’s Box, p. 166.
Chapter 9: The Last Naked Warrior
Twice, his racial barbs resulted in fights with former 49er teammate Jim Burt, Skip Bayless, The Boys, p. 91.
“We were,” said Harris, “two roosters in a henhouse.” Brian Hewitt, “Haley’s Move to Dallas Delights 49ers’ Harris,” Chicago Sun-Times, October 4, 1992.
“We can’t speak for the 49ers as to why he’s available “Haley Shores Up Cowboys’ Defense,” Houston Chronicle, August 27, 1992.
“I guess the drive back was for about 40 minutes,” Jones said. Thomas George, “Cowboy with Angry Score to Settle,” New York Times, January 13, 1993.
Chapter 10: Return to Greatness
“There was a lot of I, I, I, me, me, me,” Sandy said. Julie Lyons, “Back in Bounds,” Dallas Observer, September 5, 2002.
That confidence soared on Thursday, September 3 “Irvin, Cowboys Agree on 3-Year Deal,” Houston Chronicle; September 4, 1992.
Having been burned repeatedly in his last matchup against Irvin Denne H. Freeman, Associated Press, September 7, 1992.
When Bob Oates of t
he Los Angeles Times wrote Bob Oates, “Hands-on Success Story,” Los Angeles Times, December 21, 1991.
Instead, Jones had treated the most recent draft Skip Bayless, The Boys, pp. 26–27.
Afterward, Tony Wise, the offensive line coach, put the afternoon in perspective Ibid., p. 115.
Throughout history there have been millions of sightings Gina Boubion, “Ghost Lets Playful Side Show in Pranks at Haunted Toy Store,” Houston Chronicle, April 23, 1993.
“He’s a con artist,” one NFC personnel director told Sports Illustrated. Jill Lieber, “Please, Let Me Run,” Sports Illustrated, June 29, 1992.
In anticipation of the Cowboy game Paul Zimmerman, “The Eagles Looked Super,” Sports Illustrated, October 12, 1992.
The Cowboys defense sacked McGwire four times Ed Werder, “Cowboys Defense Picks Up Pace, Puts Down Seahawks, McGwire,” Dallas Morning News, October 12, 1992.
On a wall in Wannstedt’s office hung a chart featuring the record of the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Paul Zimmerman, “No Names for Now,” Sports Illustrated, November 16, 1992.
Chapter 11: Turbulence
Bennie Jones was a man with violence running through his veins. Jason Cole, “Sins of the Father,” Sun-Sentinel, November 23, 1998.
“We were like movie stars,” said Erik Williams, the offensive tackle. “One for the Boys,” Maxim, December 2006.
After drafting Jones, Bob Slowik Denne H. Freeman, Associated Press, April 26, 1992.
“I’m going after the arm,” Michael Irvin responded Richard Justice, “Cowboy Says He’ll Target Redskin’s Arm,” Washington Post, December 11, 1992.
After controlling the first three quarters of the game Leonard Shapiro, “Even After Loss, Players Believe They Did Well Enough to Win,” Washington Post, December 14, 1992.
“That,” said Richie Petitbon, the Washington defensive coordinator, “was the biggest play of the game.” Leonard Shapiro, “Even After Loss, Players Believe they Did Well Enough to Win.”
Shortly after the game, CPC/Environment Kim Durk, “CPC/Environment to Mint Commemorative Medallion Honoring Cowboys NFC Eastern Division Championship,” Business Wire, December 22, 1992.
Growing up in the Trinidadian town of Laventille Village Tom Leo, “Richards Discovers Running,” Syracuse Post-Standard, December 1, 1988.
“He’s a great, great tailback,” said Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson. Ibid.
“This is crazy,” Tony Wise, the offensive line coach, said. Skip Bayless, The Boys, p. 232.
After addressing (and undressing) the team, Ibid., p. 233.
Chapter 12: How ’Bout Them Cowboys!
During offseasons he lived in a brick cabin on 3,500 Bill Plaschke, “Genuine Article,” Los Angeles Times, January 30, 1993.
He wore a hat that read, simply, REDNECK “Novacek Proud to Be Redneck,” Omaha World Herald, November 13, 1994.
As if this point needed to be reinforced, Philadelphia safety Andre Waters Ed Werder, “Waters Puts Smith No. 1 on Hit List,” Dallas Morning News, January 5, 1993.
Instead of shuddering, the Cowboys clipped the safety’s words and added them to a locker room bulletin board. George Willis, “Eagles Giving Cowboys an Earful,” Newsday, January 9, 1993.
“There was a lot of talking before this game,” Thomas George, “A Dominant Dallas Rings Philadelphia’s Bell,” New York Times, January 11, 1993.
“[The field] was abominable,” wrote Brian Hewitt Brian Hewitt, “NFL Asks an Expert: Mend Field,” Chicago Sun-Times, January 12, 1993.
He and twenty-six coworkers replaced the grass in the middle of the field Ron St. Angelo and Norm Hitzges, Greatest Team Ever, p. 67.
Wrote Paul Zimmerman in Sports Illustrated: “The momentum had switched, all right, Paul Zimmerman, “Hot Wheels,” Sports Illustrated, January 25, 1993.
On first down from the Cowboys’ 21-yard line, Turner called for Ace Right 896 F Flat Ron St. Angelo and Norm Hitzges, Greatest Team Ever, p. 73.
Chapter 13: Super Bowl XXVII
Before allowing his troops to hit L.A. for a Sunday night of all-out debauchery Mike Fisher, Stars & Strife, p. 302.
Headquartered in the luxurious Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Skip Bayless, The Boys, p. 275.
Such potential conquests were why, in the days after the San Francisco triumph Fisher, p. 303.
In what may well be an NFL record, Michael Irvin escorted Ibid., pp. 250–80.
A few days before the game, he drove along Mike Fisher and Richie Whitt, The Boys Are Back, p. 147.
“I know that your thoughts are that you’d like to do this for certain individuals,” Jimmy Johnson, Turning the Thing Around, p. 253.
One evening Johnson and his coaches would be gorging on nachos Fisher, p. 313.
As they prepared for Buffalo, coaches speculated Bayless, p. 266.
Had the game been tight, Lett surely would have found himself Austin Murphy, “Together Again,” Sports Illustrated, May 17, 1993.
Chapter 14: Nut-Huggers
Tom Vanderveer, mayor of Troy, Texas Doris Quan, “Aikman Fans Cast Vote in Troy, Dallas Morning News, August 4, 1993.
In what surely goes down as one of the most questionable decisions “Cowboys Become Just the Boys and Sing,” Oregonian, July 7, 1993.
In 1988, a basketball-loving rookie named Michael Irvin led a Hoopsters revolt Richie Whitt, “Busted; Off-field Indiscretions Be Damned, Michael Irvin Deserves Football Immortality,” Dallas Observer, January 18, 2007.
On May 10, 1993, the Hoopsters were scheduled Ed Werder, “Cowboys Hoopsters Pull Plug on Game,” Dallas Morning News, May 12, 1993.
That’s why, in a May 1991 game against the staff of a Dallas radio station Associated Press, June 25, 1991.
On March 27, 1993, Ed Werder of the Dallas Morning News Ed Werder, “Smith May Meet with Dolphins,” Dallas Morning News, March 27, 1993.
The difference between the offer and what Smith desired Peter Golenbock, Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes, p. 779.
Did Jones really want to get in a battle over greed? Paul Domowitch, “Owners Derail Jones’ Attempt to Pull Fast One,” Daily Oklahoman, April 10, 1993.
In a game against Florida as a senior Tim Cowlishaw, “Things Falling into Place for Lassic,” Dallas Morning News, May 3, 1993.
At Alabama, Lassic was on the fast track to a noteworthy collegiate career Austin Murphy, “The End of the Run,” Sports Illustrated, January 11, 1993.
“I had never lost anyone close to me,” said Lassic Paul Newberry, Associated Press, January 2, 1993.
Certainly not after the Washington Times set up a Cowboys “hateline” John Hawkins, “The Object of Our Wrath,” Washington Times, September 6, 1993.
“The problem was that I fell into the same trap Tim Cowlishaw, “Second Time Around Special in Many Ways,” Dallas Morning News, February 6, 1994.
A bawling Haley proceeded to approach Jones Ed Werder, “Charles Haley Tests Limits, Fills Holes,” Dallas Morning News, October 17, 1993.
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