The Dallas Cowboys, crowned "America's Team" by NFL Films in 1979, etched their legacy in the tumultuous and hard-fought battles of the 1970s. The decade saw the Cowboys navigating a period of immense success and heartbreaking near misses. Emerging victorious in two Super Bowls, they also experienced the sting of defeat in three others, losing by a cumulative 11 points.
Standing tall among the memorable clashes of this era was the Cowboys’ fierce rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers, deemed the 'Team of the Decade,' often found themselves in direct competition with Dallas on the sport's biggest stage. This was epitomized in Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII, two contests that remain etched in the annals of NFL history.
Super Bowl X: A Battle for the Ages
The first of these monumental face-offs was Super Bowl X, where the Cowboys were bested by the Steelers in a narrow 21-17 defeat. The fourth quarter showcased Pittsburgh's resilience as they scored four consecutive times, a highlight being Lynn Swann's 64-yard touchdown catch. For Dallas, the agony was compounded by a last-gasp end-zone interception that sealed their fate as the final seconds ticked away.
Super Bowl XIII: A Clash of Titans
Super Bowl XIII was another heartbreaker for Dallas, as they fell 35-31 in an encounter that marked the first Super Bowl between two teams that had each previously won multiple championships. The Cowboys initially seized the lead, but Pittsburgh's relentless offensive onslaught shifted the momentum dramatically. Roger Staubach demonstrated his leadership by orchestrating two late scoring drives, yet it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Controversial calls played their part in the narrative of Super Bowl XIII. Benny Barnes was flagged for pass interference, a penalty that significantly influenced the game by setting up a crucial Franco Harris touchdown. Ed "Too Tall" Jones reflected on these pivotal moments, sharing, "You mention Benny Barnes and those calls, I'm not one to complain, because that's just one play. Even though every controversial call went against Dallas, but throw that to the side. The difference was experience."
The Impact of Veteran Presence
Jones’ reflections on the battles against the Steelers highlight the role of veteran experience in determining the outcomes. "That Pittsburgh team had nothing but veterans on both sides of the ball. Nothing but veterans. We were a very young team both times, when they beat us in '75 and when they beat us in '78, even though we only lost by four points both games and [Roger] Staubach had the ball driving [late] in those games," Jones remarked.
His sentiments underscore a crucial element in high-stakes games – the benefit of seasoned players who have weathered the pressure-laden environments of championship events. "I was proud of the way we hung in there against a veteran team, because experience in big games is very important. Very important," Jones added, emphasizing the resilience and tenacity of the youthful Cowboys squad in the face of formidable opposition.
Building a Legacy
Despite the crushing defeats at the hands of the Steelers, the Cowboys’ achievements during the 1970s were significant. They clinched a victory in Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos and bolstered their roster with the addition of running back Tony Dorsett in 1977. Yet, it was Pittsburgh who dominated the narrative of the decade, with rule changes in 1978 even being aimed at curbing the Steelers’ defensive might, inadvertently strengthening their offense. Terry Bradshaw, the linchpin of Pittsburgh’s offense, secured the league MVP title in the same year.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a defensive stalwart for the Cowboys, accumulated an impressive 106 sacks over his 15-year career, contributing vastly to the team’s defensive prowess. Reflecting on his post-career life, Jones promotes mobility aids like Sportcane, attributing his ability to stay active and engaged daily to these tools. "Just my daily activities, it makes all the difference in the world. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for the Sportcane as far as being able to get around and still not letting anything hinder what I do in life," he shared.
The legacy of the 1970s Dallas Cowboys – known famously as "America's Team" – is one of triumph, resilience, and, most notably, enduring rivalries. Their epic clashes with the Pittsburgh Steelers not only defined an era but also laid the foundation for the storied history of one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises.