DALLAS — Jerry Jones is nothing if not a storyteller. That’s why, even in the midst of a disappointing season that has slowly started to turn around in recent weeks, the Dallas Cowboys owner seemed in better spirits on Tuesday. While giving a post-Thanksgiving update, he took a detour to remember some of the rambunctious moments from his team’s mascot Rowdy.
Following a 27-20 Turkey Day win, Cowboys, owner, president, and general manager Jones made his weekly visit on the Shan & RJ show on Audacy's 105.3 The Fan to discuss winning two games in a row, including the first win at AT&T Stadium on the year which has given Dallas faint hope for a miracle playoff run.
If nothing else, Jones expressed a desire to see the Cowboys play to win out the rest of their slate as he believes winning can carry over to the next season.
"No question you can carry over good play from one season to the next,” said Jones. “Potentially we carried over the not-so-good play against Green Bay that we had in our playoffs last year."
That bad performance ended Dallas’ streak of home game success, ended their season prematurely in the wild-card round despite winning 12 games for a third consecutive year, and put Head Coach Mike McCarthy firmly on the hot seat as he was brought back for the final year of his contract but not extended.
After starting the season at 3-2, the Cowboys suffered a five-game losing streak, their longest streak since 2015, while going winless in their first five home games. Since then, however, the Cowboys have won back-to-back games for the first time since early October and have not yet been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, though the odds are long.
"We see the challenge to get in the playoffs," Jones said. "We have to play better than we have in the last two games. But we can. What we've done gives us a great opportunity. We're getting better. Should the outlandish odds work in our favor to make the playoffs, then so be it."
With the improved play, McCarthy’s seat has cooled off a little. Last week, Jones said it wouldn’t be crazy for him to consider bringing McCarthy back. This week, he doubled down with his praise for the head coach.
“I’ve never thought for one second that the team had quit recognizing what an outstanding coach he is,” Jones said, calling McCarthy "steady as a rock," as the Cowboys eye a third consecutive win on Monday night.
To earn another win, and to keep themselves alive in the playoff hunt, Dallas needs to continue getting healthier. They already know that they won’t be able to count on quarterback Dak Prescott this season, as he’s out following surgery to repair a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon.
The return of Micah Parsons after missing four games with a high left ankle sprain has helped the defense but injuries to other star veterans such as guard Zack Martin and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence have made for inconsistent play from younger players.
Jones said he expects Martin to return to the offensive line when he’s ready despite backup Brock Hoffman performing well.
"I'm sure the minute we get [Martin] available to play he'll be out there,” Jones said, while providing updates on injuries. “I expect him to be back out there. He’s a difference maker.”
Another difference maker for the Cowboys has been second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, whose tipped pick-6 interception on Thanksgiving became a turning point in the victory. After missing his rookie campaign with an injury, Overshown has been one of the standouts for the Dallas defense after arriving as a third-round pick out of the University of Texas in 2023.
Overshown wore No. 0 at UT and has lobbied to swap his No. 13 jersey number for zeros once again. One problem with that, No. 00 is the number that has been worn by Cowboys mascot Rowdy since his inception in 1996. Jones was asked about putting the zero back on Overshown but dodged the request in a way that only Jones could manage.
“When we were at Wichita Falls for training camp and we were out in that heat, Rowdy was taking water guns and squirting fans in the wrong spots,” Jones reminisced. “It cooled them off and they kind of laughed about it, but still, it wasn’t a thing to be doing.”
Jones explained that he told Rowdy to be careful about his interactions with fans or else “they’d throw us both under the jail.” But that wasn’t the only interaction with Rowdy that Jones remembered as he recalled a time when they found the “Rowdy Wagon” at a strip club.
The vehicle, which was used for events and birthday parties, was photographed at the club to the embarrassment of Jones who spoke with the person behind the mascot who has since relinquished the role. When asked to consider his actions, the performer told the owner, “Mr. Jones, I’ll talk to Rowdy about it.”
Rowdy will be in attendance at AT&T Stadium wearing his No. 00 as the Cowboys go for a third win in a row on Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14.
Do you think DeMarvion Overshown should get to wear No. 0? Share your thoughts with us on X (formerly Twitter) @WFAASports.
