If you are a Dallas sports fan, specifically a fan born after January 28, 1996, you have experienced a lot more let downs than celebrations. Aside from the Dallas Mavericks’ unexpected championship and the Dallas Stars’ Stanley Cup, Dallas has not had much success in the post-season. However, we have gotten close, REALLY close. We have actually gotten as close as you can get to a championship without winning the championship. So like all grieving fans do, let’s take a look back at some of the moments that gave us pits in our stomachs and sleepless nights.
1. The Catch – January 10, 1982
It was the 1982 NFC Championship game and the Cowboys were looking to defeat the San Fransisco 49ers and go to their 6th Super Bowl in 11 years. After a hard-fought game, the Cowboys held on to a lead of 27-21 with less than 5 minutes to go. Joe Montana and the 49ers started with the ball at their own 11-yard line and needed a touchdown to go to the Super Bowl. Montana would drive his team 83-yards to the Cowboys’ 6-yard line and, with the clock at 58 seconds left, this happened:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAjvGFO3Ruc?rel=0]
A touchdown pass to Dwight Clark that football fans will never forget. This is probably the most heartbreaking moment for Cowboys fans and still burns a hole in the heart of Cowboys nation. I remember my father telling me about all the things he broke and threw around his house when he watched this happen live.
2. The Non-Catch – October 27, 2011
After a disappointing loss to the San Fransisco Giants in the 2010 World Series, the Texas Rangers were back for retribution as they face the St. Louis Cardinals. After trading off the first 4 games, the Rangers won game 5 and were now 1 win away from the franchise’s first World Series title. The Rangers had a 2-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning and Neftali Feliz was on the mound for Texas. Feliz struck out Ryan Theriot to start the inning. Next, a double was given up to Albert Pujols, followed by walking Lance Berkman. Then, Feliz was able to strikeout Allen Craig, putting Texas 1 out away from winning the world championship. The next batter for the Cardinals was their third baseman, David Freese. The image that is burned into the memories of Rangers fans everywhere came on a pitch that could’ve won the Rangers the title. Freese had 1 ball and 2 strikes, and, instead of allowing Texas a taste of victory, he did this:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEEOZpdp9bo?rel=0]
3. The Bat Flip – October 14, 2015
The Texas Rangers-Toronto Blue Jays rivalry was born on this date. In a very controversial, long, brutal game, the Rangers had a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning. After exchanging some words with the opposing players throughout this inning, tempers were flaring and everyone knew that someone was about to make a big play. That play came from Jose Bautista. With two runners on base, Joey Bats took Sam Dyson’s pitch and sent it to another universe. If that wasn’t bad enough, he proceeded to showboat with the most authoritative bat flip the world has ever seen. Viewers discretion is advised:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UdsVO7HaJg?rel=0]
Even though the Rangers went on to lose the game and the series, there was a silver lining. Around 7 months later when the Blue Jays came to town, Rougned Odor made sure to let Jose Bautista know how he felt about him.
4. The Other Non-Catch – January 6th, 2007
It was a moment that defines a career for Tony Romo haters. In the Wild Card round of the 2006-2007 NFL playoffs, the Cowboys were down 21-20 and had the ball at the SEA 6-yard line. Jogging onto the field, Martin Gramatica prepared himself for a game-winning field goal as the holder, Tony Romo, got set. What happened next will always be remembered as one of the biggest chokes in Romo’s career, and in NFL history. This video is very hard to watch. I warned you.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVuQ5aw0HAQ?rel=0]
The worst part is that the Cowboys would’ve gotten a fresh set of downs if Romo made it to the 1-yard line. Vintage Romo.
5. The Other Catch – January 15, 2017
The final moment in our list is, also, the most recent moment. After a remarkable 13-3 season, the Dallas Cowboys were set to go on their first legitimate Super Bowl run in around 2 decades. The Cowboys were led by rookie QB Dak Prescott and rookie RB Ezekiel Elliot, along with veterans Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. The Cowboys got off to an extremely rocky start. Dallas got down 21-3 late in the 2nd quarter, but they were able to recover with an 18-point 4th quarter. After a game-tying field goal with less than a minute left, Aaron Rodgers was left with a 3rd down and 18 seconds left on his own 32-yard line. Dallas Cowboys fan were preparing themselves for overtime and trying to regain their energy for another quarter of football, but Aaron Rodgers had other plans:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwoMph2zxnQ?rel=0]
RIP Dallas Sports
