3 Press

Almost nine years ago, when I chose the University of Minnesota, I was asked the predictable questions.

“Isn’t it cold there?”

“Doesn’t it snow up there?”

“Are there any black people in MN?” (Shout out to Chris Rock)

All of which, I have to admit I understood just as much as I (In my own condescending way) expected to hear.

It didn’t matter. I had made the decision and I was moving to Minneapolis.

One day someone, I can’t remember who, but some…person asked, “Are they gonna make a Vikings fan out of you?”

The very thought made me sick to my stomach. How could I, the kid who’d loved nothing more than America’s Team, THE Dallas Cowboys, ever become a Vik-? I’m sorry. I can’t even type it.

Within days of my arrival on campus I became known for, if not seen as an extension of the Dallas Cowboys. Like most Cowboys fans, I talk NFL football with the feeling that, having witnessed the highs and lows that associated with an admiration for America’s Team, we have seen more than the fan has. Is it fair? No. Is the attitude warranted at all? I’d argue it was, but that’s not what this is about.

This Sunday the Dallas Cow boys, my Dallas Cowboys took one hell of a “”butt whoopin’” from the Minnesota Vikings. The dismissal from the playoffs was not only disappointing. It was just plain embarrassing.

I hear that a local television news team bet on the game and as a result, had to wear Vikings jersey’s on the air. To quote Colt McCoy, “I’- I”- I’.” Sometimes you really can’t put into words the way you feel. You can’t say it because there really aren’t any words. Sunday afternoon. I felt I could empathize with McCoy. Unfortunately, self expression is in the job description.

It is for that reason, and my love for the city and its Vikings fans, I must now eat my words. The Vikings were the better team this year. The win at New Orleans, though monumental at the time, dose not matter. The emergence of wide receiver Miles Austin and cornerback Mike Jenkins do not matter. The defensive swagger and chemistry that have seemed to form with the additions of safety Gerald Sensenbaugh and linebacker Keith Brooking are now irrelevant to the NFL and the very thing that brings the fans and very teams together, the path to the Lombardy Trophy. Championship.

Does saying that, imply that I consider myself, or should ever be considered by others as a Minnesota Vikings fan? Not at all. Blasphemy! The Superbowl is the reason for the season. I simply have to make be as good a sport as the many real Vikings fans that I harassed in my time in Minneapolis/ St. Paul have been. The Vikings are better than the Cowboys.

Y’all were right. I was completely wrong to pick the fight. (With shame and the look of someone who has eaten rancid butter)

I close with a quote from a text forwarded me Sunday night.

“Win, lose or tie. ‘Cowboys fan till I die.”

This isn’t over. I’ll be right here talkin’ my Cowboys ‘til opportunity presents’.

-III

Special and heartfelt shouts out to Shelia Livingston, Jennifer LeGrand-Reiter, Dallas Weekly.com contributors Jerold A. Wells Jr. and Isaiah Potts. Your help and everything I am have made me everything I am.

There are few things I love in this world more than the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. It’s for that reason that I am more shocked and offended by the actions of sophomore cheerleader, Whitney Isleib this Halloween.

Isleib was seen at a Halloween party this weekend in black face, with a gold grill, and deadlock wig in an attempt to be rap star Lil’ Wayne.

When asked many fans did not seem to have much of a problem with her costume, arguing that almost everyone goes to the lengths of wigs and make up to “become” whom or whatever they want to be for Halloween. While I understand do understand that point, I find it hard to believe that white America doesn’t seem to understand why some would be offended by what Whitney Isleib has done.

For centuries, the entertainment industry has used black face as a means of degrading African-Americans. Minstrel shows have often used black face to communicate racial hatred in this country. I’m aware that most white Americans would rather not have an in depth understanding our (America’s) history. Why should they? It’s the same lack of understanding that has so many feeling as though the anti-American seatmate of foreign groups is so surprising and groundless. The sad truth is that until people like Whitney Isleib bother to consider how the actions of her forefathers have affected even her life in the present, nothing will change.

I’d like to personally challenge the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to make a public statement about their views on Isleib’s actions. Though majority fans and supporters may not think it wrong, her organization may want to consider the PR nightmare that could follow should they remain silent.

The Dallas Cowboys knew before the season began that the weeks coming off of their bye week would be as crucial as they’d be difficult. It just so happens that the inconsistent play of America’s team in the first quarter of the 2009 season has put them in a familiar place of discomfort.

As we all know, the Cowboys fell short of making the playoffs last year after losing soul crushing games against Baltimore and at Philadelphia. What most fans and Cowboy hating television sports analysts have seemed to overlook, is the fact that the Cowboys let their hopes of remaining a competitive team in the NFL’s most storied division in games six and seven at Arizona and St. Louis.

This season may be no better. After being pressured by the jeers of some fans and the media, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones parted ways with All-Pro wide receiver, Terrell Owens thinking that the acquisition of former University of Texas stand out Roy E. Williams and the stable of receivers already on the team would be enough to allow quarterback Tony Romo to spread his wings freely. Though the rational may have been rational, Romo’s play thus far this season has not been at all. Romo has been just as, if not more inconsistent than the team at large. Is it all on Romo? Absolutely not! The Dallas Cowboys have a number of problems such as predictable offensive play calling, poor tackling, a lack of focus and heart.

There have been some glimmers of hope this season. Miles Austin, the third year wide out from Monmouth has amassed a total of 331 yards and 3 touchdowns thus far and has risen to the number two spot on the depth chart taking the place of North Texas native Patrick Crayton. The Cowboys rushing game has thrived despite injuries to two of the three heads of the monster known as Crash, Dash, and Tash’! Tashard Choice had a career game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Choice will have the help of franchise back Marrion Barber this week, who will play with a cast over his fractured thumb. Both the Cowboys and their fans wait anxiously for the return of Felix Jones to the line up. Jones has only played in 3 games, but the big play speed back has averaged over 10 yards per carry before suffering a knee injury. The defense is not without its positive points either. Linebacker Keith Brooking, a former Atlanta Falcon, has made his presence felt accounting for 37 tackles and getting his first sack as a Cowboy at Kansas City. Demarcus Ware also began his sack season last week after going sackless in the first four games of the season. Ware, who had a league leading 20 sacks last season is sure to heat up as other members of Dallas’ defensive front begin to get the attention that they deserve from opposing offenses.

Where the Cowboys go from here is up to owner and general manager, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys coaching staff, and the players on the field. The pressure that surrounds this weekends match up against Atlanta, if nothing else, should serve as both a gut check and a reminder that the “We’ll get it together when we need to,” attitude has no place in an organization like the Dallas Cowboys.