“How about these Cowboys”: Thinking again to the long-lasting phrase 32 years later

Exactly 32 years in the past, former Dallas Cowboys head coach and present FOX Sports analyst Jimmy Johnson unknowingly gifted the sports activities world with the now iconic and fan-favorite query: “What do you consider these Cowboys?”

Let’s have a look again at how the phrase got here to be on January 17, 1993:

Setting the scene

After the Cowboys’ 30-20 NFC Championship Game victory over the 49ers in San Francisco, Johnson entered a locker room crammed with stars like Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith. Dallas was now one recreation away from the Super Bowl, and after the double-digit victory, an enthusiastic Johnson congratulated his workforce and concluded with the long-lasting 4 phrases: “How about these Cowboys?” The locker room exploded with applause and the remaining is historical past.

The legacy

Johnson, 81, just lately shared that the second wasn’t deliberate, however extra of an impromptu stroke of genius.

“I used to be on that desk … taking a look at all these gamers (who’re) all excited,” he recalled. “I used to be stumped. I did not know what to say, I appeared out and mentioned, ‘What about these Cowboys?'”

“I did not know these 4 phrases would outline my time with the Cowboys. I hear it on a regular basis now.”

The line supplied the 1993 Cowboys with all of the motivation they wanted, because the workforce grew to become Super Bowl champions, defeating Buffalo, 57-12, on January 31, 1993.

While the road would not match the present state of the Cowboys, who’ve struggled mightily this season because of accidents and contract disputes on their option to lacking the playoffs, die-hard followers will little question convey it again subsequent season because the workforce seems to be to recuperate. Dallas is now searching for its subsequent coach after ending the 2024 season 7-10, third within the NFC East.

Johnson, nevertheless, won’t ever tire of listening to the long-lasting line. His NFL on FOX co-hosts reminded him, “It’s sort of your legacy wherever you go.” Johnson smiled and replied, “Well, how about these Cowboys?”

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