A Game of Passion – 49ers vs. Cowboys Memories

 

The NFL schedule maker got it right last spring when they announced the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys would meet in the season opener this Sunday in Dallas. Games between the 49ers and Cowboys are always passionate.

Some personal observations.

Bill Fox, Texas Stadium 49ers vs Cowboys October 15, 1989

Bill Fox, Texas Stadium 49ers vs Cowboys October 15, 1989

Polyester coaching pants were fashionable in 1989 when I photographed my first 49er/Cowboy game in Texas Stadium.

Tom Landry, 49ers vs Cowboys, Candlestick Park, December 23, 1985

Tom Landry, 49ers vs Cowboys, Candlestick Park, December 23, 1985

The Cowboy’s “America’s Team” featured two iconic NFL images — Head Coach Tom Landry.

The Quintessential Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, Texas Stadium, December 30, 2001

The Quintessential Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, Texas Stadium, December 30, 2001

And America’s Sweetheart — The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader.

 

 

Honoring Tom Landry, my last game at Texas Stadium, 49ers vs. Cowboys, Sunday, November 23, 2008

Texas Stadium, 49ers vs. Cowboys, Sunday, November 23, 2008

I honored Landry’s memory, wearing a gray fedora to my last game in Texas Stadium.

 

Big Hit on a 49er, 49ers vs Cowboys, Texas Stadium, 2002

Big Hit on a 49er, 49ers vs Cowboys, Texas Stadium, 2002

Big Hit on a Cowboy, 49ers vs Cowboys, Texas Stadium, 2002

Big Hit on a Cowboy, 49ers vs Cowboys, Texas Stadium, 2002

49er/Cowboy games were always hard hitting as the 49er Eric Johnson and Cowboy Chad Hutchingson found out.

49ers vs. Cowboys, Texas Stadium, December 8, 2002

49ers vs. Cowboys, Texas Stadium, December 8, 2002

The games were passionate often played with ruptured feelings.

Terrell Owens celebrates a 49er TD on the Cowboys star at mid-field, 49ers vs. Cowboys, Texas Stadium, September 2000

Terrell Owens celebrates a 49er TD on the Cowboys star at mid-field, 49ers vs. Cowboys, Texas Stadium, September 2000

Terrell Owens stirred things up in 2000 when he mocked the Cowboys by spiking the ball on their logo at mid-field following a touchdown.

49er Coaches Steve Mariucci and Jim Mora celebrate last second win over the Cowboys, Texas Stadium, December, 2008

49er Coaches Steve Mariucci and Jim Mora celebrate last second win over the Cowboys, Texas Stadium, December 8, 2008

Two years later, 49er Head Coach Steve Mariucci and Jim Mora celebrate a last minutes win over the Cowboys at Texas Stadium.

 

Terrell Owens, following game winning catch, Texas Stadium, December 8, 2002

Terrell Owens, following game winning catch, Texas Stadium, December 8, 2002

While inside the locker room, Terrell Owens again displayed his emotions after making the game winning catch.

 

Head Coach Steve Mariucci presents 49er owner John York with the game ball in celebration of York's first divisional championship. Texas Stadium, December 8, 2002

Head Coach Steve Mariucci presents 49er owner John York with the game ball in celebration of York’s first divisional championship. Texas Stadium, December 8, 2002

I would have loved to have played football for Steve Mariucci.

Steve Young celebrates win over Cowboys in the 1994 NFC Championship Game, January 15, 1995, Candlestick Park

Steve Young celebrates win over Cowboys in the 1994 NFC Championship Game, January 15, 1995, Candlestick Park

The best run of Steve Young’s career was his victory lap around Candlestick Park following the 49ers defeat of the Cowboys to win the 1994 NFC Championship game.

 

Pre-game Coin Flip, Texas Stadium, 49ers vs Cowboys, October 15, 1989

Pre-game Coin Flip, Texas Stadium, 49ers vs Cowboys, October 15, 1989

When Texas Stadium opened in 1971 the reason given for the hole in the stadiums roof was so, “God, could watch his football team play.”

Go Niners — Beat Dallas