A man who revolutionized football. A man who paced the sidelines, hardly showing any emotions winning or losing. A man who used his architectural talents on offense and defense to become one of the greatest coaches of all time, leading the Dallas Cowboys to become one of the most popular and successful franchises in sports history today. A man who's attire became legendary in the NFL.....suit and hat.

Tom Landry was the Cowboys first head coach since 1960 to 1989. During this span, he took his team from a disastourous start, losing their first 6 seasons. Then proceeding to have 20 consecutive winning seasons, 13 NFC eastern division titles, 5 Super Bowl appearances, and 2 World Championships. 270-178-6 period. The numbers explain for themselves. Only two other head coaches have more wins than Landry, and what a class to be in. George Halas and Don Shula. It's very hard to coach an NFL team, but how hard is it to coach America's Team. I mean always having the media and fans asking you for comments and autographs also watching your move. How difficult is that? Then having superstars to create America's Team wow.That's why Tom Landry had to have subdued relationships with his players. He felt that by doing this act he could have total control of the team and a player couldn't try to use favoritism especially when a stressful decision hade to be made either on ora off the field. He called all the plays using the "shotgun" offense on third downs, the 4-3 (four defensive lineman, three linebackers) and brought back the spread formation on defense. Then in the 70's,Tex Schramm requested a time slot on Thanksgiving Day and got it. Now its tradition to eat turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and watch Cowboy football whether you love them or hate them.
The Dallas Cowboys have become world wide known today, but it was Landry's team who started the chain reaction of superstardom. Here are just a couple of names you might remember............"Dandy" Don Meredith, Bob Lilly, Chuck Howley, Mel Renfro, Roger Staubach, Tony Hill, Drew Person, Tony Dorsett, Bob Hayes, Dwane Thomas, Calvin Hill, Charlie Waters, Don Perkins just to a name a few. Also came the famous "Doom Day Defense"-Ed "To Tall" Jones, Harvey Martin, Randy White, and Jethro Pugh. Simply awesome.

Tom Landry even though you have passed away, you will always live in our minds, hearts and in Texas Stadium. It is only fitting that the house you built has a hole in the roof so that you can watch your team next to god. Yes it's true, Tom Landry was a devoted christian. His motto was Christ first, family second, and football third.

Thank you Tom Landry for providing 29 great years and making the Dallas Cowboys for who they are today.

From all of us Cowboys fans, you are and always will be the...Dallas Cowboys America's Team.