How the Dallas Cowboys Got Their Name: A Tale of Steers, Rangers, and Almost-Baseball Blunders
Ah, the Dallas Cowboys. America's Team. A powerhouse franchise with a storied history, a legendary cheerleading squad, and enough star power to light up Jerry's World like a disco ball on a Saturday night. But have you ever wondered how this team of gridiron gladiators got their name? Buckle up, because it's a story that involves rejected bovine nicknames, near-disastrous baseball mix-ups, and a whole lot of Texas-sized hustle.
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| How Did Dallas Cowboys Get Their Name |
From Steers to Rangers: A Naming Rodeo
The year was 1960, and Dallas was itching for a winning NFL team. Their first attempt, the Dallas Texans, lasted about as long as a tumbleweed in a tornado (one season, to be exact). This time, the city was determined to get it right. Enter Clint Murchison Jr., a wealthy oilman with a dream and a questionable taste in initial mascots.
Yup, you read that right. The first name out of Clint's ten-gallon hat? The Dallas Steers. Let's just say the name didn't exactly evoke images of fierce competitors. More like a group of particularly well-groomed cows waiting for their turn at the petting zoo.
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Thankfully, someone with a modicum of branding sense (probably the guy who wasn't wearing chaps to the naming committee meeting) stepped in. The Steers were quickly nudged aside, and the team became the Dallas Rangers. This one had a bit more Texas twang, a touch of frontier spirit. It even got Clint's grandpappy a little misty-eyed.
But here's where things get udderly confusing (see what I did there?). Dallas already had a baseball team, the Dallas Rangers (of the minor leagues, but a baseball team nonetheless). Can you imagine the chaos? Jersey mix-ups at the stadium, confused fans showing up for home runs and leaving with interceptions. It would have been a logistical nightmare.
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The Hail Mary: Enter the Cowboys
Tex Schramm, the team's general manager, wasn't one for hoofing around with such a bovine blunder. He put the pressure on Clint to come up with a new name, and fast. The clock was ticking like a rusty cattle prod.
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According to legend, Clint was stuck at the airport when inspiration struck (maybe those pretzels on the plane resembled tiny Stetsons?). "The Dallas Cowboys!" he boomed into the phone, presumably startling a nearby businessman mid-napkin doodle.
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Tex, ever the pragmatist, pointed out the obvious: "Isn't that a bit...generic?" But Clint, with the stubbornness of a Texas mule, dug his heels in. The name stuck.
And that, my friends, is how the Dallas Cowboys got their name. Not the most unique, perhaps, but it certainly fit the Texas theme. Plus, it avoided any bovine-related embarrassment and baseball-induced pandemonium.
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So next time you see the Dallas Cowboys galloping across the field, remember the zany name-change journey that brought them there. It's a reminder that even in the world of professional football, sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places (or maybe a desperate phone call from an airport terminal).
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