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There was a time when the Dallas Cowboys football team was the cream of the crop, dominating the better part of the 90's with the likes of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin among others. They won three championships with those stars, but those were '92, '93, and '95. Since then though, they have not lived up to their lofty standards.
In fact, with it being over 20 years now since that last championship in 1995 "America's Team" is starting to get a little bit skittish about the long term effects on their fan base. Specifically, they are worried that new fans don't think of the team as winners and that old fans will get tired of waiting for greatness again.
"Of course" Stephen Jones responded to the Dallas Morning News when asked about if he was worried about the generation of fans that don't know the team as championship contenders, "I mean, I'm worried every day that we don't get a championship. You worry about that all the time. That's why we're very aggressive in trying to get there. It's just not acceptable in our minds that we haven't been able to win a championship in so long. I do worry about that. I worry about that all the time."
This is something that us Raiders fans certainly can relate to. It has been a long time since the Raiders were last a winning team, with lows that make the Cowboys span look like one of the better teams in the league comparatively. The Raiders last Super Bowl was in 2002, but they lost that so you have to go all the way back to 1984 to find their last championship.
It's been a long time since either the Cowboys or the Raiders were the top dog in the NFL, but that doesn't change the history of winning within the franchises. That history leaves a fan base eager to cheer when their team is back on top, so with a storied franchise like these the only thing a team has to do to remind their fans that they were champions is get back to their winning ways.
Of course, that is much easier said than done.
The Dallas Cowboys are worried young NFL fans don't remember them as winners | FOX Sports
It's been 20 years since the Cowboys have even made the NFC title game
The Dallas Cowboys are worried young NFL fans don't remember them as winners | FOX Sports
It's been 20 years since the Cowboys have even made the NFC title game.
Stephen Jones worries about older Cowboys fans deciding, "We’re done" | ProFootballTalk
The Cowboys last won a Super Bowl in January 1996. This year is the 20th anniversary of the event. Which means that anyone born after Dallas beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX can't relate to the Cowboys as NFL champions. Via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys executive V.P.
Other stories from around the AFC West
Denver Broncos
Other defensive signings around the NFL will only help Von Miller - Mile High Report
When the Philadelphia Eagles dropped a reported $63 million in guaranteed money on Fletcher Cox on Monday, Von Miller's asking price went up. Such is life in the NFL and John Elway probably isn't too happy about it even if he understands it.
Denver Broncos’ C.J. Anderson promises to be ready from "jump" as "every-down" tailback – The Denver Post
C.J. Anderson became a $6-million man this offseason. He is ready to become an every down back, to show "from jump in training camp" that he will have a different mentality and help lead the offense.
San Diego Chargers
Dallas Cowboys: Flashback: Jerry Jones almost bought the San Diego Chargers in 1966 -- until his father got word of his plans | SportsDay
Horn: Jerry Jones was set to buy the Chargers - until Dad said no way
Chargers’ Ken Whisenhunt back on the job | SanDiegoUnionTribune.com
The team's offensive coordinator is back after two years as the Titans head coach Page 1 of 2
Kansas City Chiefs
Looking at Dontari Poe's future after the Eagles signed Fletcher Cox to monster deal - Arrowhead Pride
The Eagles gave Cox at $100 million deal. How does this affect Poe?
\Justin Houston could attend Chiefs minicamp ... but he won't be practicing - Arrowhead Pride
The Chiefs LB is recovering from an ACL but could make an appearance this week.
Other stories from around the NFL
Former NBA guard Nate Robinson tried out with the Seahawks - SBNation.com
He's 32 and had major knee surgery a couple of years ago, but Robinson is still going to try to fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL.
Ben Grubbs' NFL career 'likely' over, report says | AL.com
Former Auburn standout Ben Grubbs "has likely played his last down" in the NFL.
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