Dallas Cowboys History: Owners, Stadiums, Hall of Famers, MVPs, Rookie of the Year Winners, and the Legacy of America’s Team Introduction: The Dallas Cowboys — The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most recognizable franchises in professional sports. Founded in 1960, the Cowboys developed from an expansion team into one of the National Football League’s most celebrated organizations. Their silver-and-blue uniforms, star logo, passionate fan base, and championship tradition have made the team famous throughout the United States and around the world. The Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, appeared in eight NFC Championship-winning seasons, and produced generations of outstanding players. Their history includes legendary quarterback Roger Staubach, running back Emmitt Smith, wide receiver Michael Irvin, quarterback Troy Aikman, defensive tackle Bob Lilly, linebacker Randy White, and head coaches Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson. The franchise also changed the business of professional football through innovative marketing, television exposure, stadium development, and the creation of a national identity that extended far beyond Dallas. This article explores the Cowboys’ complete ownership history, every home stadium, the Pro Football Hall of Fame members recognized for their Cowboys contributions, NFL Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year winners, and the people who built the team’s enduring legacy. Founding of the Dallas Cowboys The NFL awarded Dallas an expansion franchise in 1960. Businessman Clint Murchison Jr. became the team’s principal owner, and the organization assembled a management group that would eventually help transform the franchise into a football powerhouse. Three individuals became particularly important to the early Cowboys: Clint Murchison Jr. — The founding owner who brought professional football to Dallas. Tex Schramm — The influential general manager and later team president who helped develop the Cowboys’ national identity. Tom Landry — The franchise’s first head coach, who established its football philosophy and led the team for 29 seasons. The Cowboys struggled in their early years, but the foundation was being built. By 1966, Dallas had begun a remarkable run of 20 consecutive winning seasons, a record-setting achievement that established the organization as one of the NFL’s premier teams. The franchise reached its first Super Bowl following the 1970 season and won its first championship the following year. From that point forward, the Cowboys became a regular presence in the NFL’s biggest games. Every Dallas Cowboys Owner The Cowboys have had three principal controlling owners since their founding. Clint Murchison Jr. — 1960–1984 Murchison was the founding owner who secured the franchise and established the organization in Dallas. His leadership helped create the infrastructure that supported the team’s eventual success. He supported the management team of Tex Schramm, Tom Landry, and personnel director Gil Brandt .Together, they developed a system for scouting, drafting, coaching, and marketing that became influential throughout professional football. Murchison’s ownership included the construction of Texas Stadium, which opened in 1971 and became one of the most recognizable football venues in the country. During his tenure, the Cowboys reached multiple Super Bowls and won their first two championships, Super Bowls VI and XII. H. R. “Bum” Bright — 1984–1989 Bright purchased the Cowboys from Murchison in 1984. His ownership coincided with the final years of the Tom Landry era and a difficult transition for the franchise. Dallas continued to experience success during the early portion of Bright’s tenure, but the team declined during the second half of the 1980s. The Cowboys finished 3–13 in 1988, their worst season to that point in franchise history. Bright sold the team in 1989, opening the door to a new era under Jerry Jones — 1989–Present Jerry Jones purchased the Cowboys in February 1989 and immediately began reshaping the organization. He hired Jimmy Johnson as head coach and made himself the team’s general manager. The transition initially produced controversy. Jones dismissed Tom Landry, the only head coach the Cowboys had known, and the team struggled through the 1989 season. However, Jones and Johnson rebuilt the roster through the NFL Draft and several important trades. Quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and wide receiver Michael Irvin became the foundation of a championship team. Dallas won three Super Bowls in four seasons: Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX. Jones later oversaw the move to AT&T Stadium and helped expand the Cowboys’ commercial reach. Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 as a contributor, recognizing his influence on the franchise and the business of the NFL. Ownership summary: Clint Murchison Jr. founded the franchise, Bum Bright owned it during the 1980s transition, and Jerry Jones has controlled the team since 1989. Every Stadium the Cowboys Have Called Home The Cowboys have played their home games in three stadiums. The Cotton Bowl — 1960–1971 The Cotton Bowl in Dallas was the Cowboys’ original home. The team played there during its formative years, including the seasons in which it developed into a consistent contender. The stadium also hosted the Cotton Bowl college football game and numerous major sporting events. For Cowboys fans, it represents the beginning of the franchise’s history. Texas Stadium — 1971–2008 Texas Stadium opened in Irving, Texas, in October 1971. It became the Cowboys’ home for 38 seasons and was closely associated with the team’s greatest years under Tom Landry. The stadium was famous for its distinctive roof, which covered most of the seating area while leaving an opening over the field. Its design became part of the Cowboys’ identity. Texas Stadium witnessed: The first Cowboys Super Bowl championship following the 1971 season. The Super Bowl XII championship following the 1977 season. The careers of Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, and numerous other franchise legends. The rise of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin during the early 1990s championship era. The Cowboys played their final game at Texas Stadium in December 2008. AT&T Stadium — 2009–Present The Cowboys opened their new home in Arlington, Texas, in 2009. Originally called Cowboys Stadium, it was renamed AT&T Stadium in 2013. The facility is known for its enormous center-hung video display,… Continue reading Dallas Cowboys History:
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TEXAS RANGERS: COMPLETE HISTORY
The Texas Rangers have one of the more fascinating histories in Major League Baseball. The franchise began in Washington, D.C., as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, moved to Washington Senators, for the 1972 season and became the Texas Rangers. For decades, the franchise struggled to reach the postseason. That changed in the 1990s, when Texas developed into an American League West contender. The Rangers eventually reached their first World Series in 2010, returned in 2011, and finally captured their first championship in 2023, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games. The Beginning: Washington Senators The modern Rangers franchise began in 1961 as an expansion version of the Washington Senators. The original Washington Senators had moved to Minnesota after the 1960 season and became the Minnesota Twins. MLB then awarded Washington another expansion club for 1961. The New Senators Played their first season at Griffith Stadium before moving into the newly constructed D.C. Stadium in 1962. The franchise remained in Washington through the 1971 season. Washington owner Bob Short eventually received permission to move the club to Arlington, Texas. The move was completed after the 1971 season, and the club became the Texas Rangers in 1972. The first Texas Rangers game was played on April 15, 1972, against the California Angels. Texas lost that game 1-0, but the move established Major League Baseball permanently in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. All Texas Rangers Principal Owners MLB’s official ownership history lists six principal ownership periods. Robert E. “Bob” Short 1968–1974 Bob Short purchased the Washington Senators in 1968. His most important decision came in 1971 when he received approval to move the franchise to Arlington. The team became the Texas Rangers beginning with the 1972 season. Short sold the franchise to Bradford G. Corbett in 1974. Bradford G. Corbett 1974–1980 Corbett purchased the Rangers in 1974. His ownership period included the emergence of some important Rangers players, including Jeff Burroughs and Toby Harrah, while future Hall of Fame pitchers Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven also passed through the organization. The Rangers won 84 games in 1974, their first winning season in Texas, and Jeff Burroughs won the American League MVP Award. Corbett sold the team to H.E. “Eddie” Chiles in 1980. H.E. “Eddie” Chiles 1980–1989 Chiles was a Fort Worth businessman and became the Rangers’ principal owner in 1980. During his ownership the Rangers signed one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. In December 1988, Nolan Ryan signed with Texas as a free agent at age 41. Ryan’s arrival would eventually become one of the most important events in Rangers history. George W. Bush / Edward W. “Rusty” Rose Partnership 1989–1998 An ownership group led by George W. Bush and Edward W. “Rusty” Rose purchased controlling interest in the Rangers in March 1989. Bush eventually became the club’s managing general partner before becoming Governor of Texas and later President of the United States. The ownership group oversaw one of the most important periods in Rangers history, including the construction of a new ballpark and the emergence of Nolan Ryan, Juan González and Ivan Rodriguez. Thomas O. Hicks 1998–2010 Thomas O. Hicks purchased the Rangers in 1998 for approximately $250 million. His ownership included some of the greatest offensive players in franchise history, including: Ivan Rodriguez, Juan González, Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Mark Teixeira The Rangers won three American League West titles during this period, in 1998, 1999 and 2010. The 2010 season ended with Texas reaching its first World Series. Rangers Baseball Express 2010–Present A group led initially by Rangers Baseball Express Bob Simpson and Nolan Ryan purchased the Rangers in 2010. The ownership group was later led by Ray Davis and Bob Simpson. Davis became the controlling owner in 2013 after Nolan Ryan stepped down from that role. Under the Davis-Simpson ownership, the Rangers eventually won the first World Series championship in franchise history in 2023. MLB officially continues to list Rangers Baseball Express as the ownership entity. Every Ballpark the Rangers Have Called Home The Rangers franchise has played regular-season home games in five primary stadiums. Griffith Stadium Washington, D.C. — 1961 The expansion Washington Senators played their first season at historic Griffith Stadium. The ballpark had been home to the original Washington Senators and was also associated with the Washington baseball history of the early 20th century. After the 1961 season, the new Senators moved to D.C. Stadium. D.C. Stadium / Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Washington, D.C. — 1962–1971 The Senators moved into D.C. Stadium in 1962. The facility was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in 1969. The franchise remained there until moving to Arlington following the 1971 season. Arlington Stadium Arlington, Texas — 1972–1993 Arlington Stadium originally operated as Turnpike Stadium, a minor-league facility. When Major League Baseball arrived, the stadium was expanded and renamed Arlington Stadium. The Rangers played there from 1972 through 1993. The final Rangers game at Arlington Stadium was played in October 1993. The Ballpark in Arlington / Ameriquest Field / Rangers Ballpark / Globe Life Park Arlington, Texas — 1994–2019 The Rangers opened their new ballpark in 1994. The facility went through several names: The Ballpark in Arlington — 1994–2004 Ameriquest Field in Arlington — 2004–2007 Rangers Ballpark in Arlington — 2007–2014 Globe Life Park in Arlington — 2014–2019 It became the backdrop for some of the greatest moments in Rangers history, including the club’s first two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Globe Life Field Arlington, Texas — 2020–present The Rangers moved into Globe Life Field in 2020. The stadium features a retractable roof and climate-controlled environment, a particularly important feature in the Texas summer. The Rangers’ current lease agreement with Arlington extends through the end of 2053. Globe Life Field became the site of the Rangers’ first World Series championship celebration in 2023. Cooperstown Hall of Famers Who Entered the Hall as Rangers One distinction is important when discussing Rangers Hall of Famers. Several Cooperstown Hall of Famers played for the franchise, including Nolan… Continue reading TEXAS RANGERS: COMPLETE HISTORY
