In 1979, the Dallas Cowboys were anointed with the title "America's Team" by NFL Films, a label that has endured for generations. The moniker was well-deserved, given their impressive performances throughout the decade. The 1970s Dallas Cowboys made their mark by winning two Super Bowls and demonstrating near-magical resilience in pivotal games. However, the era was not without heartbreak, as they also lost three Super Bowls by a combined 11 points.
The Cowboys’ rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers was particularly notable, featuring some of the most memorable games in NFL history. This rivalry was underscored by several clashes in the Super Bowl, most notably Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII. In Super Bowl X, the Steelers clinched a narrow victory, defeating the Cowboys 21-17. Lynn Swann’s spectacular 64-yard touchdown catch and Pittsburgh’s four consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter highlighted the game. A last-second end-zone interception by Dallas added a dramatic finish to the contest.
Three years later, these two titans met again in Super Bowl XIII, which was a historic matchup as it was the first Super Bowl between two teams that had each previously won multiple championships. The game is often remembered for its dramatic shifts in momentum. Dallas initially took the lead, but Pittsburgh’s offensive onslaught, led by Terry Bradshaw, quickly shifted the tide. Bradshaw's stellar performance throughout the season earned him the league MVP title in 1978.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a key defensive player for the Cowboys, recalls the challenge of facing the seasoned Steelers. "That Pittsburgh team had nothing but veterans on both sides of the ball. Nothing but veterans. We were a very young team both times, when they beat us in '75 and when they beat us in '78, even though we only lost by four points both games and [Roger] Staubach had the ball driving [late] in those games," he reminisced.
Super Bowl XIII was filled with unforgettable moments, including a controversial pass interference call against Benny Barnes that led to a Franco Harris touchdown. Jones expressed his perspective on these pivotal moments: "You mention Benny Barnes and those calls, I'm not one to complain, because that's just one play. Even though every controversial call went against Dallas, but throw that to the side. The difference was experience."
The Cowboys did have moments of brilliance, such as Roger Staubach’s two late scoring drives and their early lead. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh's experience and offensive firepower proved decisive. Jackie Smith’s dropped touchdown pass is another instance often cited when recounting that game.
Amid the intense rivalry and tough losses, the Cowboys also had their share of triumphs. They secured victory in Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos and bolstered their roster with running back Tony Dorsett in 1977, enhancing their offensive capabilities significantly. Ed "Too Tall" Jones himself was a stalwart in the team’s defense, recording 106 sacks over his 15-year career. He remains an influential figure, promoting mobility aids like Sportcane. Reflecting on his career, Jones shared, "Just my daily activities, it makes all the difference in the world. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for the Sportcane as far as being able to get around and still not letting anything hinder what I do in life."
The 1970s was indeed a golden era for both the Cowboys and the NFL. Rule changes in 1978 intended to curb the Steelers' dominance paradoxically enabled Pittsburgh’s offense to flourish even further. Both franchises left indelible marks on the game and forged a rivalry that remains etched in the annals of NFL history. The Cowboys' label as "America's Team" persists, a testament to the legacy of resilience, competition, and excellence they established during that transformative decade.