3 Cowboys other than Jerry Jones that Eagles Nation is required to despise

Take a moment, grab a dictionary, and look up the word villain. You’ll find both Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys listed as synonyms. Nothing means more to Philadelphia Eagles fans than beating the Washington Commanders, New York Giants, and that team in Texas.

Dallas and Philadelphia have met 162 times on the football field. Dallas leads the all-time series 72-54. Every Birds fan hates hearing that, but it’s Cowboys fans and the contemptible figures that have worn the star that truly make ‘America’s Team’ so easy to hate.

Guess what? The task was so easy that we didn’t even have to mention Jerry.

Here are three Dallas Cowboys that Eagles fans are almost required to despise.

Tom Landry

Okay, technically, Tom Landry never wore the star into battle. He wore a suit, fedora, and the smug look of arrogance. In 1960, he became the first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. By 1980 his Cowboys were 27-3 in their games versus the Eagles. Things evened out after the 1980 NFC Championship Game, but not without controversy.

In 1987, NFL players went on strike. Teams brought in replacement players but seven Cowboys crossed the picket line. Eagles coach Buddy Ryan insisted his players stay united. Landry had no problem starting players like Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones and Tony Dorsett against a Philly team of regular Joes. Doing so in such a pro-union city was bad enough. Landry’s decision to run the score up (41-22) made things worse.

Ryan would have revenge two weeks later. With the game in hand, Randall Cunningham was asked to fake a kneel-down and throw for another score. A 37-20 Eagles win was the result. Landry had no comment post-game. This despicable Cowboy would finish his career with 270 wins, 178 losses, six ties, and no signs of a conscience whatsoever.

May he rest in peace. He truly gave tons to our great game, but Eagles fans haven’t warmed up to the idea of hearing the mention of his name, and they never will.

Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith was taken by Dallas with the 17th pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. He played 15 years, scored 164 touchdowns and his 18,355 yards rushing remain the most all-time. 533 of those carries and 2,466 of those rushing yards were tallied versus the Eagles, and his 14 touchdowns are the fifth most scored by any one player versus the franchise.

Had Emmitt Smith just scored the touchdowns, this wouldn’t be so bad. His post-touchdown celebration is what bothered people and put our hatred for him over the top.

Emmitt could have learned a lot from the guys that acted like ‘they had been there before’. Rather than handle the ball to an official, he determined that it was better to showboat. He took his helmet off. He preened for the cameras. It got old real quick.

So in 1997, the NFL created the ‘Emmitt Rule’, forbidding players from removing their helmets on the field of play. It’s sad that they would have had to do so.

Sorry Emmitt, but when the NFL has to institute a rule to prohibit you from believing you’re bigger than the game, you belong on a list like this one.

Drew Pearson

Drew Pearson joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa. From 1973 to 1983, he racked up 489 receptions for 7,822 yards, and he scored 50 touchdowns. He played in three Super Bowls, winning one on January 15th of 1978 to conclude the 1977 NFL season.

Pearson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. He gave a passionate speech, and he may have escaped this list had it not been for a troll job at the 2017 NFL Draft, one that was ironically hosted in Philadelphia.

Pearson began with “How ’bout them Cowboys” and by thanking Philly for allowing him to have a career. Given his age, it’s impressive he remembers that far back. He flashed his ring, praised Jerry Jones, and highlighted the genius of Jason Garrett. That sealed the deal, and for the remaining years of his life, it would be wise if he elected not to walk alone in Philadelphia.

Some teams would’ve chalked this up to the ramblings of an old man, but Philly got so angry that they won the next Super Bowl. So, maybe Drew isn’t so bad at all.

For now, we’ll keep him on the list. One good troll deserves another, and he was upstaged by Eagles legend David Akers a year later at the 2018 NFL Draft in Arlington.

Sorry Drew, we won it all and you got punked by a kicker. Now we see why Dallas never retired the Number 88 jersey. It all makes sense now.