The Birth and Battles of "America's Team"
In 1979, the Dallas Cowboys were christened "America’s Team" by NFL Films, a title that would both champion and haunt them. The 1970s were a defining era for the Cowboys, marked by both triumph and heart-wrenching near misses. Despite securing two Super Bowl victories, the decade also saw the team narrowly miss out on three others, losing by a combined total of just 11 points.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, crowned the 'Team of the Decade,' emerged as the Cowboys' fiercest rivals during these years. The two franchises clashed on some of the sport's grandest stages, with the Steelers twice besting Dallas in the Super Bowl. Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII are etched in the annals of NFL history for their intensity and drama.
Super Bowl X: A Battle Royale
In Super Bowl X, Pittsburgh's 21-17 victory was a testament to the Steelers' resilience. They managed four consecutive scores in the fourth quarter, with the game tilting on a 64-yard touchdown pass to Lynn Swann. The Cowboys had their chances, most notably when a last-second end-zone interception sealed their fate. Reflecting on those clashes, Dallas defensive lineman Ed "Too Tall" Jones emphasized the youthfulness of his team, saying, "That Pittsburgh team had nothing but veterans on both sides of the ball. We were a very young team both times, when they beat us in '75 and when they beat us in '78, even though we only lost by four points both games and [Roger] Staubach had the ball driving [late] in those games."
Super Bowl XIII: The Repeat Showdown
Three years later, in Super Bowl XIII, the teams met again under the bright lights. The Cowboys took an early lead, but Pittsburgh’s offensive onslaught soon shifted the momentum. The game became the first Super Bowl where both teams had previously won multiple championships, intensifying the stakes. A pivotal moment arrived with a pass interference call against Benny Barnes, leading to a crucial Franco Harris touchdown. Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach’s late heroics weren’t enough to overturn the 35-31 loss. Jones recounted, "I was proud of the way we hung in there against a veteran team, because experience in big games is very important."
The loss, however controversial, failed to diminish the Cowboys' spirit. "You mention Benny Barnes and those calls, I'm not one to complain, because that's just one play. Even though every controversial call went against Dallas, but throw that to the side. The difference was experience," Jones commented, highlighting the youth-versus-veteran narrative that characterized their encounters with the Steelers.
A Glimpse of Success
Despite their heartbreaks, the Cowboys did find Super Bowl glory in 1978, decisively beating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. Adding to their formidable lineup, the arrival of running back Tony Dorsett in 1977 bolstered their offensive might. Even as NFL rule changes in 1978 aimed to curtail the Steelers’ defensive dominance, Pittsburgh adapted, and their quarterback Terry Bradshaw snagged the league MVP title that year, underlining the team’s adaptability and calibre.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones: A Legacy Beyond the Field
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a towering figure in the Cowboys' defense, recorded an impressive 106 sacks over his 15-year career. Despite the setbacks and the pain of close defeats, Jones remains a cornerstone of Cowboys lore. Today, he champions products like the Sportcane, underscoring its significance in his daily life, "Just my daily activities, it makes all the difference in the world. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for the Sportcane as far as being able to get around and still not letting anything hinder what I do in life."
The saga of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s is one of grit, growth, and a relentless quest for greatness. They may have been dubbed "America’s Team" in 1979, but that title was forged in the previous decade, amidst the highs of victory and the lows of near misses. Against a backdrop of fierce rivalry with the Steelers, the Cowboys showcased a blend of youthful talent and indomitable spirit, elements that would etch their place in NFL history.