If you ever find yourself staring at a painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and thinking that those guys look like they could draw up a mean flea flicker, you are not alone. History and football have a funny way of connecting. The men who wore powdered wigs and the men who wore metallic helmets aren’t all that different when it comes to building dynasties from scratch. To celebrate Independence Day, we thought we’d pay homage to our founding fathers while having a little fun as we match
them up with important Dallas Cowboys figures.
The ultimate commander-in-chief
George Washington led a ragged band of colonists to victory against the mighty British during the Revolutionary War and then served as our first president. He guided his army through brutal, freezing winters and helped shape a brand new country without any blueprint to follow.
Tom Landry took over the expansion Cowboys in 1960 and led a legendary charge of his own. He dragged the team from the perils of early defeat and transformed them into one of the winningest franchises in football history over a 29-year coaching career.
Both of these men were absolute institutions. They were calm, stoic, and rarely showed a shred of emotion on the sidelines of life. They were also famous for their unmistakable headgear, whether it was Washington’s three-cornered tricorn hat or Landry’s iconic fedora. They set up the long-lasting traditions and values that defined America(‘s Team) for generations.
The charismatic author of a revolution
Thomas Jefferson wrote the words that fundamentally changed our future, challenging the old system and setting a new path for a young nation.
Many, many years later, Jimmy Johnson arrived in Dallas and completely rebuilt the football organization with a house cleaning for the ages. He was a bold innovator who masterminded one of the biggest trades in sports history and authored the famous draft value chart that teams still use today.
Both men were fiery, no-nonsense thinkers who loved to challenge traditional minds to build something dominant enough to stand the test of time. Jefferson served two terms, while Johnson won two Super Bowls. Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore the West, and Johnson sent Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith to the muddy confines of Candlestick Park to defeat the West. They even both shared a historic falling-out with a former friend when the differences became too much to overcome. If that’s not enough for you, Johnson actually went to Thomas Jefferson High School in Texas.
The eccentric inventor
Benjamin Franklin used science to help America win its freedom. When the war broke out, Franklin engaged in some elite international scouting by traveling across the ocean to Europe to secure life-saving help from the French military.
Gil Brandt was the football equivalent of that innovative mind in the Dallas personnel department. He was a master at using data and searching the entire world for a hidden advantage. He became the first person to use computers to scout football players, and he pioneered looking for talent way outside the box. He found superstars at tiny schools and in entirely different sports like basketball and track.
Both Franklin and Brandt were data guys who looked for creative ways to solve old problems. Coincidentally enough, both men also took on second careers in journalism later in life to become the ultimate storytellers of their older years.
The financial wizards
Alexander Hamilton served as our first Secretary of the Treasury. He built the financial foundation of the country because he knew the nation needed centralized efficiency to survive. He organized the first national bank and created a stable economic plan that allowed the United States to prosper.
Tex Schramm served as the first president and general manager of the Cowboys, acting as the ultimate football businessman. Long before anyone was talking about marketing deals, Schramm built a financial enterprise by making the game vastly more entertaining. He gave referees microphones, introduced instant replay, created wild card teams, and branded the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Whether it was merging 13 colonies or blending the NFL and the AFL together, Hamilton and Schramm were historical builders of systems we still use today.
The voice of integrity, a true patriot
John Adams was the heartbeat of early American independence, a deeply principled leader who devoted his entire life to the cause. His fierce dedication and strong moral compass helped rally the colonies together, making him a true founding father of the nation. Adams was the most influential voice in creating our navy, arguing the importance of having a fleet of ships to defend the coast against its enemies.
Roger Staubach brought that exact same patriotic spirit to the gridiron. As a real Naval Academy graduate and a Vietnam War veteran, he brought a never-say-die competitive edge to the stadium that cemented him as a national treasure.
Both men never gave up, even when things seemed impossible. They both waited patiently for their moment, and once they got it, they excelled. Both were intense competitors whose loyalty and grit made them symbols of American pride.
The Founding Fathers gave us a country, and these legendary Cowboys figures gave us a football empire.
In conclusion, we, the people, demand another Super Bowl victory for America’s Team.
Happy Birthday, America.
