The Dallas Cowboys: America’s Terrible Child

By: Austin Ngaruiya

Have you ever seen a child throw a tantrum in a public place, but the parents do not seem shocked or even the least bit embarrassed? Bystanders may react, but those parents have already accepted that their child is terrible because of previous public tantrums. The Dallas Cowboys have become that child.

On Monday night, the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Chicago Bears 34-18 behind Tony Romo’s five interceptions, with two leading to touchdowns.  The first two interceptions were a product of errors on the receivers. The third was due to a breakdown in protection and the final two were Romo forcing the ball into coverage.

Leave it to the Cowboys to make interceptions a team effort.

Over the past 40 years, the Dallas Cowboys have been referred to as “America’s Team,” because of their great success in the 1970s. The star on their helmets has served as a constant reminder of how the franchise views itself; winning five Super Bowls between 1971 and 1996.

However, over the past 16 years, the Cowboys have been the epitome of mediocrity. Their regular season record since 1996 is 122-122, while producing exactly one playoff win.

Despite the Cowboys failing to consistently win in recent years, the team is always atop the league in national TV appearances. The team draws TV ratings much like car crashes draw views on YouTube.

America continues to tune in to the Cowboys because of their ability to lose in a spectacular fashion. If there is a way to lose a football game, the Cowboys will find it, especially if it is on national television.

The Cowboys are 2-9 in night games dating back to 2010, including losing on a last-second holding penalty, a blocked field goal, and blowing a double digit fourth quarter lead.

To any other NFL team, losses like this would seem like an anomaly, but to the Cowboys, these losses have become the usual.

Fans of “America’s Team” must now accept the fact that if they take the Cowboys out in public, there is a good chance they will throw a tantrum. However, now, it should be fully expected.