Why I Hate the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys...the epitome of evil. The redheaded step-child of the national football league. Just saying the name out loud brings a nasty taste to my mouth. It's an odd feeling, to tell you the truth, but it's very real.

Look at them parading around that Dallas star on those dull gray helmets. It's sickening. The symbol alone makes me want to punch a Cowboy fan right in the face. No questions, no real reasons, and no remorse...just flat out, SMACK, right in the kisser.

Honestly, I'm an easy going guy. I can pretty much get along with anybody and anything. Most people would say I don't have a violent streak in me which I would like to believe is true. So when I say I hate something I mean it. And if you haven't guessed by now, I absolutely loath the Dallas Cowboys.

As I look back and study my overall hatred for the Cowboys I see one common thread. I'm a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Eagles fans have a reputation for being obnoxious, rude, and horrible to NFL players, including their own. I am not of that variety, but I am very loyal to my team. And the Eagle/Cowboy rivalry has been around for a very long time.

In fact, I root for two things every NFL Sunday, week in, week out. First, I root for my team, the Eagles. And second, I root for any team playing against the Dallas Cowboys. It's a motto in my family and I stick to it religiously, no mater the circumstance.

However, this does not begin to explain why I hate Dallas.

For many football fans much of our roots begin in the adolescent years. For me it was no different. I started following and understanding the NFL in the mid 1990s. I remember my first NFL experience, when I went to Veterans Stadium and saw the Philadelphia Eagles play in 1992. It seems so long ago, but I still remember my distaste for the Cowboys even then. Much of this was implanted by my father, so maybe I can blame him!

However, I didn't really hate the Cowgirls until they started winning Superbowls. I recall Dallas' first superbowl run in 1993 when they demolished the Eagles in the divisional playoff game...yeah, I still remember all right.

And then throughout the mid 1990s, when the Cowboys were winning championship after championship, my hatred brewed deeper and deeper. It's not that they won (although I really hated that too), it was how they won. There are two players that I would like to point out, Michael Irvin and Emmit Smith.

Michael Irvin...Troy Aikman's number one target. God, I hate that guy. He was an Eagle killer. He towered over Philadelphia cornerbacks and caught everything thrown to him. But this isn't the reason I hate Irvin.

So, why do I hate Michael Irvin? He was a crybaby. If he didn't catch the football, he sat there and whined to the refs...every...single...time. And if that wasn't enough, the refs actually awarded him, and they threw the pass interference flag...every...single...time. Heaven for bid if it was really good coverage or Aikman (the almighty) threw a bad pass. It was every time and it was ridiculous. Shut up and play the damn game you cocaine addict chump!

Emmit Smith is quite possibly the most overrated NFL player of all time. Don't get me wrong, I think he is a classy guy and a great representation of the national football league. However, I think he was an average back with an amazing line.

(For those rare Cowboy fans that may be reading this article) I'm not spitting all this out because of my overall hatred. This is how I honestly feel. I know a lot about football, and I've seen talent come and go. I love the game and I have a pretty good eye for what is great and what is not.

Emmitt Smith, congratulations to your success in the NFL and to your all-time rushing record, but I still stick to what I know. Emmitt possessed average running back speed and strength, and he capitalized in a great system...plain and simple. That hall of fame offensive line gave Smith five yards every carry. All Smith had to do was head for a hole, any hole. Sorry, it's my belief...take it or leave it.

The one thing I probably hate the most about the Dallas Cowboys are their fans. Everyone complains about Philly fans? We don't have anything compared to these arrogant pricks. It's like talking to a pile of waste because they never hear anything you (any non-Cowboy fan) have to say. Everything always relates back to 'them' and how great their team is, or rather, how great their team WAS back in 1996. Yes, Cowboy fans, it's been 14 years since that great Superbowl team.

It's hard to explain, but I can spot a Cowgirl fan from miles away. They all have a certain characteristic to them. Smug, maybe? I'm not sure. But it seems like their outlook on the NFL is somewhat skewed. I think it goes back to being a Texan, period. They think they are the best at everything. The best state, the best football teams on every level, the best people, the best women...give me a break!

And what's with the label: America's Team? If that isn't the very definition of arrogance then what is?

I will give Dallas fans this...they are always optimistic. Although they haven't had any real success for over a decade, Dallas fans always seem to think they are in the Superbowl hunt. It's crazy and somewhat hilarious. You know what, I actually love hating them. There's nothing like having an arch rival to look out for week in, week out. So, I thank you, Dallas Cowboys fans!

Go Eagles!!