Troy Aikman on how the Cowboys’ distractions and culture changed during the Jerry Jones regime

As Troy Aikman said, “There was a lot going on back then.”

After talk of “distractions” during the Cowboys’ bye week, the team’s former Hall of Fame QB appeared weekly on Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM), where Aikman asked about the types of distractions and problems he faced He experienced it as a quarterback for the Cowboys in the 1990s and 2000s. If there was ever a time for distraction, one would think it would be the peak of the Cowboys’ franchise, when they won three Super Bowls in four seasons.

Here’s what Aikman had to say:

Question: It’s a general term that’s used a lot, but when you first came to the Cowboys and Jimmy Johnson was the coach, there was an expectation, there was a culture. How important was that to what you did in the ’90s?

Aikman: “Well, I don’t know how good the culture was when I first arrived in Dallas. It was pretty tough for most of the second year. But then you win and there are games that turn the tide. And then you start winning, and then a winning culture emerges. So it all kind of goes hand in hand.

“I think you have to remember that when Jerry bought the Cowboys in 1989, he basically risked everything he had. And then 30 years later, look at where he is, how the Cowboys are rated and what he has accomplished. I think Jerry is a promoter at his core, and that’s what he grew up with with his dad. So I can imagine he’s really proud of what he’s done and the popularity of the Cowboys. And you know, it’s hard to have one without the other. So I think Jerry sees it that way.

“I think that’s been the case over the years, whether it was back when I played with Jimmy, even when he was head coach, or with others or the players today. There’s always been a feeling of, “Hey, what are we doing?” What’s the most important thing? And that is a legitimate question. Winning is important and this team has won a lot of games. And so it’s hard to separate yourself when you say, ‘Well, you’ve won 12 games in the regular season three years in a row.’ How is that not a winning culture?’ And yet people would point out the deficiencies they had in the postseason.

“So I don’t think anyone has a real answer to that. But I know when Jerry talked about the stadium tours or the tours outside of the facility, I think a lot of it is as close as they’re ever going to get to most people who go on those tours the Dallas Cowboys. They may never attend a game, but this may be their best and most memorable experience when it comes to their Cowboys fan base, and they will be fans for life. This is important to Jerry. He wants people to be able to feel it and touch it, and from what we’ve heard, that’s very important to him.”

Question: Have you noticed that after Jimmy Johnson and the Cowboys parted ways, there was a change in that direction?

Aikman: “Yes, I think so. I think when Jimmy was head coach there were sponsors. There was a lot going on back then. I mean, you think about Texas Stadium back when Jerry bought the team, and then maybe two years later, after that first year, he started taking out seats and putting in luxury boxes because it had to do with revenue sharing and stuff further amount of revenue that could be generated. So it has totally changed.

“I think, like I said, Jerry is a promoter and a salesman from the start and that’s how he got to where he got in life and he’s really good at it. So when Jimmy left, I think there was an agreement between the two that Jimmy would take care of the football side, Jerry would take care of the financial side, and at some point those lines become blurred. And then when Jimmy left and Jerry understood exactly what he was doing and what he wanted, how he wanted to market the team and how important it was to have access to some football elements… Yes, things changed. I’m not saying it’s dramatic at first, but I think it’s escalated over the years.”

To listen to the full interview, click or tap here.

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