The Packers, Giants, 49ers, Eagles, Rams, Texans, Titans (Oilers), Chiefs (Texans), Steelers and Redskins all lay claim to being the chief rival of the Dallas Cowboys, but only the Redskins receive the dubious honor of being the most hated of rivals. From day one until now, the Redskins have no love for America's Team. "George Allen never used to say 'the Dallas Cowboys,' it was always 'the goddamned Dallas Cowboys.' "It's the Cowboys' uniform. It strikes hate and loathing in my mind, almost in a Pavlovian sense." These words uttered by John Wilbur lend unique perspective to one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL. The offensive lineman played for both Tom Landry (1966-1969) and George Allen (1971-1974). Since the rivalry officially began in 1960, the Cowboys and Redskins have won a total of 27 division titles, eight Super Bowls and have had 13 Super Bowl appearances. The 1960 Cowboys and Redskins weren't in the same division and for the regular season game, the Redskins had the last laugh with a 26-14 victory at Griffith Stadium. A rivalry was born and the traditions are like no other.
Rivalry Precedes Existence
Clint Murchison, Jr, an oil tycoon tried unsuccessfully to bring an NFL team to Dallas in the 1950s. In 1958 he heard that the Redskins were for sale by owner George Preston Marshall. Just as the sale was about to be completed, Marshall put in a few changes causing Murchison to cancel the deal.
About this time, Marshall had a falling out with Barnee Breeskin the Redskins band director. Breeskin had written the music for the Redskins fight song and wanted revenge for the falling out. He sold the rights to the fight song in which the lyrics had been written by Marshall's wife to Murchison for $2500.
Murchison unable to acquire an NFL team decided to create his own team. To achieve this he needed unanimous approval from the NFL owners to set up shop. The only owner against the proposal was George Preston Marshall. Marshall soon discovered that Murchison owned the rights to the Redskins fight song and a deal was agreed upon. If Marshall approved the Dallas franchise then Murchison would return the rights to the fight song. As we now know, the Cowboys franchise was granted in Dallas.
It only gets better… in order to build the roster for the expansion team, Dallas was allowed to choose available players from select NFL rosters. The Redskins had forgotten to protect Pro Bowl quarterback Eddie LeBaron. Murchison chose LeBaron to become the first quarterback for the newly created Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboy Chicken Club
In December 1961 some Cowboys fans sneaked into D.C. Stadium with 76 chickens (there were 75 white chickens and one which was black) and chicken feed in an attempt to ruin the halftime Christmas show (Santa and his snow dogs). The black chicken was to represent how Marshall was the only owner in the league who would not recruit African-American players. The attempted mayhem was thwarted by a stadium usher who noticed the crates and wouldn't accept a bribe.
The following year the pranksters struck again by sneaking into Marshall's hotel suite and dropping off a live turkey in his bathroom. When Marshall went into the bathroom the turkey gobbled at him causing Marshall to flee his suite. Minutes before kickoff, four banners reading "CHICKENS" were unfurled from D.C. Stadium's upper decks. Then two acrobats rushed onto the field dressed in chicken costumes and began throwing colored eggs. One was caught, but the other escaped. The escapee reached in a bag and released a live chicken and went back to throwing colored eggs. Apparently a group of security guards finally captured the costumed crusader temporarily. Once the National Anthem was over the two teams rushed the field and in the middle of the chaos, the costumed chicken escaped, but the real chicken was caught.
Let the Games Begin
The teams have met 101 times with the Cowboys leading the series with 60 wins. There have been two ties and in their two postseason meetings, the Redskins have won both games. There have been highs and lows for both teams in this heated rivalry. Perhaps, next time we'll look into the impact games of the series.
