The Dallas Cowboys: Pt 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Star

That star is a formidable psychological weapon when opponents see the Cowboys emerge from their end of the field to begin the game.

Answer: White

Tex Schramm began the tradition of Cowboys in white jerseys for home games in the 1960s. Ever since the 1950s, there was an "unwritten rule" that teams wear their dark jerseys for home games. Tex wanted to shake things up and to give the Cowboys an edge during away games by also wearing their white jerseys, since the home team wore their dark ones.

This was a great ploy by Tex to psychologically put the opposing team at a disadvantage and to give the Cowboys a boost by unconsciously thinking they were playing a "home" game.

It also helped to identify your own players by jersey color when you played all of your games in the same jersey. This ritual has backfired on the Cowboys from time to time, as it seemed that whenever the Cowboys played in their dark jersey's they seemed to lose. Opposing teams caught on to it, and now the Cowboys play in their dark jerseys more often than in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Answer: 1989

Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys following the 1988 season. Jones wanted to change the "old guard" and brought in a pal to coach the team for the 1989 season. Tom Landry was put out to pasture in a most unprofessional way, as he was never informed of the intent to fire him when Jones took over.

After guiding the Cowboys for so many years of glory, his termination was a devastating blow to Cowboy fans around the globe. Tom Landry never coached again, and passed away in 2000 from Leukemia.

Answer: Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson was a highly successful head coach for the college football Miami Hurricanes prior to succeeding Tom Landry as head coach. His first season was a dismal 1-15, the only win against the hated Washington Redskins. Losing would only last for one more season, as he went on to coach the Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins.

Answer: Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman was drafted out of UCLA in 1989. He won 3 Super Bowls and was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. Troy was a very accurate passer and was a quiet leader on a team of stars.

Answer: Bart Starr

Bart Starr was a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Eddie LeBaron was the first Dallas quarterback followed by Meredith, Craig Morton, and Staubach through the 1970s.

Answer: Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin

The triplets provided Dallas with a two-pronged attack that was very difficult to defend. Emmitt Smith was an explosive running back who had a habit of making people miss tackling him. Michael Irvin always seemed to make the big play at the right time, and Troy Aikman was the conductor of an offensive symphony.

Answer: Buffalo Bills

The Cowboys dismantled the Bills in Super Bowl XXVII by a score of 52-17. It most likely would have been 59-17 if Leon Lett hadn't show-boated at the goal line following a fumble recovery. Don Beebe, a wide receiver for the Bills ran down Lett and knocked the ball loose just before Leon crossed the goal line for a touchdown.

It was an embarrassment for the hugely talented Lett, and he would also cost the Cowboys a win the following year with another bone-headed play in an unusually cold game against the Miami Dolphins.

The Cowboys beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII 30-13 even though they were losing 13-7 at halftime. The Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX, after losing to them in Super Bowls X and XIII.

Answer: Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith was one of the greatest running backs of all time. Considered too small by many teams to stand up to the rigors that a running back must endure in a 16 game season in the hard hitting NFL, Emmitt proved his detractors wrong time and time again. Emmitt always seemed to take glancing blows from opponents versus head on tackles.

He was a great back on some great teams in the 1990s for Dallas. He left the Cowboys in 2003 to join the Arizona Cardinals. By then his career was nearly over, and his rushing totals were rather dismal by his standards. Emmitt returned to the Cowboys on a one-day contract in 2005, and retired as a Cowboy.

Answer: Troy Aikman

Michael Irvin in 1988, Emmitt Smith in 1990, and Russell Maryland, defensive tackle in 1991. Maryland was also the first player picked in that draft. He played with the Cowboys for 5 seasons, and was a stalwart of the defense, before moving on to the Oakland Raiders as a free agent.

Answer: Rayfield Wright

Rayfield Wright was a huge offensive lineman for the Cowboys teams of the 1970s. Although he was finally selected in 2006, his failure to be elected since he was eligible in 1984 stands as an incredible injustice. Michael Irvin was inducted in 2007, and Tom Landry was inducted in 1990. Emmitt Smith was not eligible as he retired in 2005 (and he must wait 5 years for consideration).

Answer: Barry Switzer

Switzer won Super Bowl XXX as Cowboys head coach. He was replaced following the 1997 season after the team became an undisciplined, unruly bunch. Switzer himself was charged with carrying a concealed handgun in an airport. That incident was the straw that broke the camel's back according to Jerry Jones. Switzer was replaced by the little known Chan Gailey, who in turn was replaced by Campo, then Bill Parcells. Parcells was "retired" following the 2006 season.

Answer: Drew Bledsoe

Bledsoe began the year well, but began to perform poorly, mostly due to a porous offensive line, his inability to make quick decisions under pressure, and his immobility. These deficiencies resulted in interceptions and sacks. Tony Romo replaced him mid-season and began very well, even being selected to the Pro Bowl.

However, his season too began to fade as teams adjusted to his scrambling nature and rookie like tendencies to throw into coverage. Beuerlein was a backup for Troy Aikman in the 1990s, and Drew Henson was gone after 2005 after never living up to lofty expectations.

Answer: Wade Phillips

Wade Phillips was brought in from the San Diego Chargers after Bill Parcells "retired" following the 2006 season. Parcells 4-year tenure was high on expectation, low on results. Perhaps the game passed him by, as he was quite successful with the New York Giants, New England Patriots, and New York Jets prior to joining Dallas.

Answer: Ring of Honor

Many of those players, owners, and coaches are also in the NFL Hall of Fame.