History of Dallas Cowboys in Timeline
The Dallas Cowboys are an NFL team based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, competing in the NFC East. Their headquarters are in Frisco, Texas, and they play home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since 2009. The stadium's name was changed to AT&T Stadium after a naming rights agreement with the telecommunications company AT&T before the 2013 season.
1932: Opening of the Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl opened in 1932 and became known as "The House That Doak Built."
1934: Detroit Lions Hosted Thanksgiving game
In 1934, the Detroit Lions popularized the tradition of hosting a game on Thanksgiving day
1952: Dallas Texans fold
In 1952, the Dallas Texans folded, leaving the NFL without a team south of Washington, D.C.
1958: Murchison attempts to buy the Redskins
In 1958, Clint Murchison Jr. attempted to purchase the Washington Redskins with the intention of moving them to Dallas, but the deal fell through due to a change in terms by owner George Preston Marshall.
1959: Murchison purchases "Hail to the Redskins" rights
In 1959, Murchison purchased the rights to the Redskins fight song "Hail to the Redskins" from Barnee Breeskin for $2,500.
1959: Murchison gets NFL franchise
In 1959, Murchison sold the rights to "Hail to the Redskins" back to Marshall in exchange for his vote to get a franchise, and the Dallas Cowboys were created.
December 4, 1960: First Game Against Giants Ends in Tie
On December 4, 1960, the first game ever played between the New York Giants and Cowboys was a 31–31 tie.
1960: First Regular-Season Game
In 1960, the Cowboys played their first regular-season game, a 35–28 loss to the Steelers.
1960: First Game Against Washington
In 1960, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington played their first game against each other, which resulted in a 26–14 Washington victory.
1960: Cowboys Join NFL
In 1960, the Dallas Cowboys joined the NFL and garnered strong fan support.
1960: Franchise Debut Uniform
In 1960, when the Dallas Cowboys franchise debuted, the team's uniform included a white helmet adorned with a simple blue star and a blue-white-blue stripe down the center crown.
1960: Throwback Jersey Game
In 1994, the Cowboys wore their 1960–63 road jersey with a silver helmet for one game as part of a league-wide "throwback" policy.
1960: Resurrection of Original Uniform
In 2004, the Cowboys resurrected their original 1960–1963 uniform on Thanksgiving Day.
October 29, 1961: First Win in Series
On October 29, 1961, Dallas logged its first win in the series against the New York Giants.
1961: First Regular-Season Victory
In 1961, the expansion Cowboys achieved their first-ever regular-season victory.
November 11, 1962: Giants First Win in Series
On November 11, 1962, the New York Giants had their first win against the Dallas Cowboys.
1963: Resurrection of Original Uniform
In 2004, the Cowboys resurrected their original 1960–1963 uniform on Thanksgiving Day.
1964: White Jersey at Home Tradition
In 1964, Tex Schramm started the tradition of the Cowboys wearing their white jersey at home, allowing fans to see a variety of opponents' colors.
1964: Addition of White Line and Blue Border to Logo
In 1964, a white line and blue border were added to the Dallas Cowboys' blue star logo.
1964: Uniform Simplification
In 1964, the Cowboys adopted a simpler uniform look, including solid color jerseys with three horizontal stripes on the sleeves, a silver-blue helmet with a blue-white-blue tri-stripe, and the blue "lone star" logo with a white border.
1965: Cowboys reach .500
In 1965, the Dallas Cowboys finally achieved a .500 record, marking a step forward in their development.
1966: NFL Championship at the Cotton Bowl
In 1966, the Cowboys hosted the Green Bay Packers for the NFL Championship at the Cotton Bowl.
1966: Second NFL Thanksgiving Game
In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys agreed to host a second NFL Thanksgiving game, defeating the Cleveland Browns 26–14.
1966: Start of 20 Straight Winning Seasons
In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys began a remarkable streak of 20 consecutive winning seasons, a period of sustained success in the NFL.
1966: Cowboys win Eastern Conference title
In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys won their first Eastern Conference title, marking a significant milestone in the team's history.
1966: Jersey Modification
In 1966, the team modified the jerseys, which now featured only two sleeve stripes, slightly wider; the socks followed the same pattern.
1967: Helmet Decal Modification
In 1967 the "lone star" helmet decal added a blue outline to the white-bordered star, giving the logo a bigger, bolder look.
1967: Bill Mercer Called Ice Bowl
In 1967, Bill Mercer, one of the original voices of the Cowboys Radio Network, called the Ice Bowl.
1967: Cowboys win Eastern Conference title
In 1967, the Dallas Cowboys won their second consecutive Eastern Conference title, solidifying their position as a top team in the league.
1968: Blue Jersey Game
In 1968, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
1968: Cowboys win division title
In 1968, the Dallas Cowboys won a division title after the NFL adopted a divisional format, continuing their run of success.
1968: "Jinxed" Blue Jersey
In 1968, the blue-shirted Cowboys were upset by the Cleveland Browns in what turned out to be Don Meredith's final game with the Cowboys.
1969: Cowboys win division title
In 1969, the Dallas Cowboys won their second consecutive division title, maintaining their strong performance in the league.
1970: Cowboys' regular season record
From 1970, the Cowboys won 105 regular season games through 1979, which was more than any other NFL franchise during that time.
1970: NFL-AFL Merger Jersey Rule Change
In 1970, following the NFL-AFL merger, league rules changed, allowing the Super Bowl home team to choose their jersey.
1970: Cowboys Defeat 49ers in NFC Championship
In 1970, the Cowboys defeated the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
1970: Cowboys Appear in Super Bowl V
In 1970, the Dallas Cowboys had a 10-4 season and made their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, Super Bowl V, losing to the Baltimore Colts 16-13.
1970: Notable Changes
Since 1970, there have been few changes to the Cowboys uniform
1971: Cowboys Defeat 49ers in NFC Championship
In 1971, the Cowboys defeated the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
1971: Cowboys Moved to Texas Stadium
In 1971, the Cowboys moved to Texas Stadium.
1971: Cowboys win Super Bowl VI
In 1971, the Cowboys won Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins, 24-3, with Staubach earning the MVP award.
1972: Cowboys Defeat 49ers in Divisional Playoff Game
In 1972, the Cowboys defeated the 49ers in the Divisional Playoff Game.
1972: No Blue Uniforms
In 1972, was the only season Dallas never wore blue uniforms in a regular season game was in the 1972 season, even though they wore them thrice in the preseason.
1974: Cowboys miss the playoffs
After missing the playoffs in 1974, the Cowboys drafted Randy White and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson the following year.
1975: Bob Lilly Inducted
In 1975, Bob Lilly was the first inductee into the Cowboys "Ring of Honor".
1975: Blue Jersey Game
In 1975, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
1975: Famous Hail Mary Pass
In 1975, the Cowboys had a famous Hail Mary pass against the Minnesota Vikings.
1975: Cowboys Win NFC Championship
In 1975, the Cowboys won the NFC championship on the road in a blowout fashion against the Los Angeles Rams.
1975: Cowboys lose Super Bowl X
In 1975, the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X, 21-17.
1975: St. Louis Cardinals Replace Dallas as Thanksgiving Host
In 1975, the St. Louis Cardinals replaced the Dallas Cowboys as a host team for Thanksgiving games.
1976: Bicentennial Helmet Stripe
During the 1976 season, the blue-white-blue stripe on the crown of the helmets was temporarily changed to red-white-blue to commemorate the United States' bicentennial anniversary.
1976: Dallas Hosts St. Louis on Thanksgiving
In 1976, Dallas hosted St. Louis on Thanksgiving in an effort by the NFL to give St. Louis national exposure.
1976: Blue Jersey Game
In 1976, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
1976: "Jinxed" Blue Jersey
In 1976, the St. Louis Cardinals elected to wear white as the home team and promptly defeated the then-undefeated Cowboys 21–17 for their first loss in six games.
1977: Blue Jersey Game
In 1977, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
1977: Verne Lundquist and Brad Sham Join Network
In 1977, Verne Lundquist joined the Cowboys Radio Network, and Brad Sham joined as the color analyst.
1977: Cowboys win Super Bowl XII
In 1977, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII, securing their second Super Bowl victory.
1977: St. Louis Cardinals Replace Dallas as Thanksgiving Host
In 1977, the St. Louis Cardinals replaced the Dallas Cowboys as a host team for Thanksgiving games.
1977: Franchise Record Breaking Win Streak
In 2016, the Cowboys broke a franchise record of 8 straight games set in 1977, by winning their 9th straight game.
1978: Dallas Resumes Hosting Thanksgiving Games
In 1978, Dallas resumed regular hosting duties for Thanksgiving games after an agreement guaranteeing them a spot.
1978: Super Bowl Berth
In 1978, the Cowboys reached a Super Bowl berth. It would not be until January 17, 1993 that the Cowboys would reach another Super Bowl.
1978: Cowboys Win NFC Championship
In 1978, the Cowboys won the NFC championship on the road in blowout fashion.
1978: Cowboys lose Super Bowl XIII
In 1978, the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-31 in Super Bowl XIII.
1978: NFC Championship Win
The Cowboys won the 1978 NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams while wearing their blue uniforms.
1979: Cowboys' regular season record
From 1970 through 1979, the Cowboys won 105 regular season games, which was more than any other NFL franchise during that time.
1980: Danny White becomes starting quarterback
In 1980, Danny White became the Cowboys' starting quarterback after Roger Staubach retired.
1980: Cowboys Win Wild Card Round
In 1980, the Cowboys followed up last year's playoff defeat with another blowout victory against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round.
1980: Eagles Host Cowboys NFC Championship Game
In 1980, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game and wore white jerseys at home to try to invoke the "curse".
January 1981: NFC Championship Game
In January 1981, the Cowboys faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship, with Philadelphia winning 20–7.
1981: "The Catch" in NFC Championship
In 1981, the 49ers' Joe Montana completed a game-winning pass to Dwight Clark in the final minute, known as "The Catch", during the NFC Championship Game.
1981: Cowboys lose NFC Championship Game
In 1981, the Dallas Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers 28-27, with Joe Montana's famous pass to Dwight Clark known as "The Catch".
1982: Cowboys lose NFC Championship Game
Although it was not apparent at the time, the loss in the 1982 NFC title game marked the end of an era for the Dallas Cowboys.
1982: Washington's NFC Championship Victory
In 1982, Washington defeated Dallas in the NFC Championship game.
1982: Cowboys win playoff game
In 1991, the Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1982, defeating the Bears in the Wild Card round.
1983: Cowboys upset by Rams
In 1983, the Cowboys were upset at home in the Wild Card by the Rams 24-17.
1984: Murchison sells the Cowboys
In 1984, Murchison sold the Cowboys to H.R. "Bum" Bright and his ten partners.
1984: Cowboys miss the playoffs
In 1984, the Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs, interrupting their streak of consecutive winning seasons.
1985: Dale Hansen Becomes Color Analyst
In 1985, Dale Hansen became the Cowboys color analyst with Brad Sham as the play-by-play announcer.
1985: Cowboys lose to the Rams in Divisional round
In 1985, after going 10-6 and winning a division title, the Cowboys were shut out 20-0 by the Rams in the Divisional round in Los Angeles.
1985: End of 20 Straight Winning Seasons
In 1985, the Dallas Cowboys' streak of 20 consecutive winning seasons came to an end, marking the conclusion of a historic era for the franchise.
September 1988: Cowboys lose to the Redskins
The Cowboys did not win a home game from September 1988 until September of 1990.
December 11, 1988: Tom Landry's Last Game
On December 11, 1988, the last game coached by Tom Landry for the Cowboys was a win over Washington.
1988: Cowboys go 3-13
In 1988, the Cowboys had a poor season, finishing with a 3-13 record.
February 25, 1989: Jerry Jones buys the Cowboys
On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys from H.R. "Bum" Bright for $150 million, ushering in a new era for the franchise.
1989: Jones buys Cowboys, fires Landry, hires Johnson, drafts Aikman
In 1989, Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys, fired Tom Landry, hired Jimmy Johnson, drafted Troy Aikman, and traded Herschel Walker.
1989: Cowboys draft Johnston and Stepnoski
In 1989, the Cowboys drafted Daryl Johnston and Mark Stepnoski, adding key players to their roster.
1989: Cowboys Win Over Washington
In 1989, the Cowboys won against Washington, marking their only victory of that season.
1989: Bounty Bowls
In 1989, the rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles heightened during the Bounty Bowls, with accusations of bounties placed on Dallas players.
1990: Cowboys draft Emmitt Smith
In 1990, the Cowboys drafted Emmitt Smith, a future Hall of Fame running back, significantly strengthening their offense.
1990: Cowboys finish with 7-9 record
In 1990, the Cowboys showed improvement, finishing the season with a 7-9 record.
1991: Start of Consecutive Postseason Appearances
In 1991, the Cowboys began a run of six consecutive postseason appearances, lasting from 1991 to 1996.
1991: Cowboys draft Maryland and Williams
In 1991, the Cowboys drafted Russell Maryland and Erik Williams, adding key defensive and offensive players to their roster.
1991: Cowboys win playoff game
In 1991, the Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1982, defeating the Bears in the Wild Card round.
1992: Cowboys Winning Streak Against Eagles
Dallas' longest winning streak against the Eagles began in 1992.
1992: Cowboys Win NFC Championship
In 1992, Dallas won against San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game.
1992: Cowboys draft Darren Woodson
In 1992, the Cowboys drafted Darren Woodson, who would become a key player in their defense.
1992: Super Bowl-winning Season
In 1992, the Dallas Cowboys had a Super Bowl-winning season, their first road playoff game since that year.
1992: Team Record for Regular-Season Wins
In 1992, the Dallas Cowboys set a team record for regular-season wins with a 13-3 record. They started the season by defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins 23-10.
January 17, 1993: Cowboys Clinch Super Bowl Berth
On January 17, 1993, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers 30-20 at Candlestick Park, clinching their first Super Bowl berth since 1978.
1993: Cowboys Finish Regular Season 12-4
Despite starting the 1993 season 0-2, the Dallas Cowboys finished the regular season with a 12-4 record and sent a then-NFL record 11 players to the Pro Bowl. They went on to defeat the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, and then the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII.
1993: Tom Landry Accepted Induction
In 1993, Tom Landry accepted induction into the Ring of Honor and had a ceremony on the day of that year's Cowboys-Giants game.
November 24, 1994: Debut of Double-Star Jersey
On November 24, 1994, the Dallas Cowboys unveiled their white "Double-Star" jersey for the first time during their Thanksgiving Day game.
1994: Switzer Hired, Championship Missed
In 1994, Barry Switzer replaced Johnson as head coach. The Cowboys finished 12-4, but missed the Super Bowl after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
1994: 49ers Win NFC Championship
In 1994, San Francisco won against Dallas in the NFC Championship Game.
1994: Double Star Jersey Debut
In 1994, the Cowboys debuted the "Double-Star" jersey.
1995: Cowboys Winning Streak Against Eagles
Dallas' longest winning streak against the Eagles ended in 1995.
1995: Introduction of Navy Uniform
During the 1995 season, the team wore the navy "Double-Star" jersey for games at Washington and Philadelphia and permanently switched to solid color socks.
1995: Dave Garrett Becomes Play-by-Play Announcer
In 1995, Dave Garrett served as the Cowboys' play-by-play announcer.
1995: Cowboys Win Super Bowl XXX
In 1995, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX for their fifth Super Bowl championship. Emmitt Smith set an NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns that season, and the Cowboys finished the season with a 12-4 record.
January 1996: Cowboys Win Super Bowl XXX
In January 1996, the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX.
1996: Dale Hansen's Last Broadcast
1996 was the last year for Dale Hansen as the Cowboys color analyst.
1996: Irvin Suspended, Cowboys Eliminated
In 1996, Michael Irvin was suspended for the first five games. The Cowboys finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and won the NFC East title. They were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the playoffs by the Carolina Panthers.
1996: End of Consecutive Postseason Appearances
In 1996, the Cowboys had their last of six consecutive postseason appearances, lasting from 1991 to 1996.
1996: Last Post-Season Win
Since the 1996 season, the Cowboys did not have a post-season win until 2009.
1997: Brad Sham Joins Texas Rangers Radio
In 1997, Brad Sham left the Cowboys and joined the Texas Rangers' radio network team.
1997: Cowboys finish with 6-10 record
The Cowboys went 6-10 in 1997, losing the last six consecutive games of the season, with discipline and off-field problems becoming major distractions.
January 1998: Switzer Resigns
In January 1998, Barry Switzer resigned as head coach. The resignation came as a result of the Cowboys going 6-10 in 1997.
1998: Gailey Leads Cowboys to Playoffs
In 1998, Chan Gailey led the Dallas Cowboys to a 10-6 record and an NFC East championship, their sixth in seven years. However, the Cowboys were upset at home in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs by the Arizona Cardinals.
1998: Blue Jersey Game
In 1998, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
1998: First Sweep Since 1998
In 2021, the Cowboys swept the NFC East for the first time since 1998.
1999: Irvin Injured, Gailey Fired
In 1999, Michael Irvin suffered a career-ending cervical spine injury, and the Cowboys finished 8-8. Gailey was fired after a playoff loss, becoming the first Cowboys coach who did not take the team to a Super Bowl.
1999: Eagles Fans Cheer Irvin Injury
In 1999, during a game in Philadelphia, Eagles fans were seen cheering as Michael Irvin lay motionless on the field at Veterans Stadium.
1999: Redskins Win Division
In 2012, the Washington Redskins won their first division title since 1999 by defeating the Cowboys in week 17.
2000: Aikman's Career Ends
In 2000, Troy Aikman suffered a career-ending concussion, and the Cowboys finished the season with a 5-11 record. Emmitt Smith had his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season.
2001: Aikman Released, Cowboys Struggle
In 2001, Troy Aikman was released and retired, and the Cowboys finished at 5-11. The Cowboys signed Tony Banks and drafted Quincy Carter.
2001: Cowboys' Home Record in Blue Uniforms Since 2001
Since 2001, the Cowboys are 16–13 at home while wearing the blue uniforms.
2001: Throwback Weekend
The navy "Double-Star" jersey was seen again during the NFL's Classic Throwback Weekend on Thanksgiving Day 2001–2003.
2002: First season without Romo Since 2002
2017 was the first season since 2002 without quarterback Tony Romo.
2002: Smith Breaks Rushing Record
In 2002, Emmitt Smith broke the all-time NFL rushing record. The Cowboys finished the season with a 5-11 record, and Campo was fired as head coach.
2002: Cowboys begin sell-out streak
In 2002, the Dallas Cowboys began a streak of 190 consecutive sold-out regular and post-season games, both home and away, an NFL record.
2003: Bill Parcells Coaches the Cowboys
In 2003, Bill Parcells coached the Cowboys and the team got off to a hot 7-2 start, but went 3-4 for the rest of the season.
2003: Tex Schramm Inducted
In 2003, Jerry Jones chose to induct Tex Schramm into the Ring of Honor.
2003: Cowboys Lose in Wild Card Round
In 2003, the Cowboys became the surprise team, starting 7-2, finishing the season with a 10-6 record, but losing in the Wild Card round to the Carolina Panthers.
2003: Throwback Weekend
The navy "Double-Star" jersey was seen again during the NFL's Classic Throwback Weekend on Thanksgiving Day 2001–2003.
2004: Resurrection of Original Uniform
In 2004, the Cowboys resurrected their original 1960–1963 uniform on Thanksgiving Day.
2004: Cowboys Finish 6-10
In 2004, the Dallas Cowboys were unable to replicate their 2003 success and ended with a 6-10 record.
2004: Throwback Blue Jerseys
In the 2004 season, the team wore blue throwback jerseys, reflecting the design from their first 4 years, and the Cowboys continued to use this "throwback" uniform through Thanksgiving Day 2012, with the exception of the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
September 19, 2005: "The Triplets" Inducted into Ring of Honor
On September 19, 2005, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, known as "The Triplets", were inducted into the Ring of Honor during a Monday Night Football game against the Washington Redskins.
2005: Ring of Honor Contained 17 Names
By 2005, the Cowboys Ring of Honor contained 17 names.
2005: Ring of Honor Induction
During the 2005 Monday Night game against the Washington Redskins, the team inducted Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irving into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
2005: Cowboys Finish 9-7
In 2005, the Dallas Cowboys got off to a great 7-3 start but ended up only in 3rd place with a 9-7 record. Prior to the beginning of that season, they signed veteran Drew Bledsoe as starting quarterback.
2006: Christmas Day Game Uniform
During the 2006 Christmas Day game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team wore their original uniforms.
2006: Charlie Waters Replaced Laufenberg
In 2006, Charlie Waters replaced Babe Laufenberg as announcer.
2006: Romo Takes Over as Starter
In 2006, Tony Romo became the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys signed Terrell Owens. Dallas ended the season with a 9-7 record and lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs.
2006: Playoff Qualification
In 2006, the Dallas Cowboys qualified for the postseason, marking the first time since 2006-2007 the Cowboys qualified for the postseason in consecutive seasons.
2006: Repainting of Texas Stadium Roof
In the summer of 2006, the roof of Texas Stadium was repainted by the City of Irving, the first time since it opened.
November 4, 2007: Eagles Host Cowboys
On November 4, 2007, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Dallas Cowboys wearing their white jerseys at home, trying to invoke the "curse".
November 29, 2007: Throwback Uniform vs Packers
On November 29, 2007, Dallas wore the throwback uniform against the Green Bay Packers.
2007: Babe Laufenberg Returns
In 2007, former Cowboy quarterback Babe Laufenberg returned to work alongside Brad Sham after a one-year absence.
2007: Playoff Qualification
In 2007, the Dallas Cowboys qualified for the postseason, marking the first time since 2006-2007 the Cowboys qualified for the postseason in consecutive seasons.
2007: Cowboys Lose in Divisional Round
In 2007, the Dallas Cowboys started the season strong, winning their first five games. Despite dropping two of their last three regular-season games, the Cowboys clinched their first number 1 NFC seed in 12 years. They lost in the divisional round to the New York Giants.
2007: Giants Defeat Cowboys in Playoffs
In 2007, the Giants defeated Dallas in the playoffs en route to their victory in Super Bowl XLII.
2007: Cowboys' Throwback Uniform Season
In the 2007 season, the Cowboys did not use this "throwback" uniform.
November 23, 2008: Throwback Uniform vs 49ers
On November 23, 2008, Dallas wore the throwback uniform against the San Francisco 49ers.
December 20, 2008: Cowboys' Final Game at Texas Stadium
On December 20, 2008, the Cowboys lost their final game at Texas Stadium to the Baltimore Ravens, 33–24.
2008: Injuries Plague Cowboys' Season
In 2008, the Dallas Cowboys' season was plagued by injuries, and they failed to make the playoffs after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the final regular-season game.
2008: Eagles Defeat Cowboys
In 2008, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Cowboys 44–6, intensifying the rivalry.
2008: First Home Win Against Giants Since 2008
In 2013, the Cowboys defeated the New York Giants at home for the first time since 2008.
2008: Cowboys' Throwback Uniform Season
In the 2008 season, the Cowboys did not use this "throwback" uniform.
May 2, 2009: Cowboys Practice Facility Collapses
On May 2, 2009, the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility collapsed during a wind storm, injuring twelve Cowboys players and coaches and severely injuring special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and scouting assistant Rich Behm.
May 27, 2009: Cowboys Stadium Officially Opened
Cowboys Stadium officially opened on May 27, 2009, in Arlington, replacing Texas Stadium.
May 29, 2009: Completion of AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium, previously named Cowboys Stadium, was completed on May 29, 2009, in Arlington.
August 22, 2009: Scoreboard Hit by Fans
On August 22, 2009, many fans touring the facility noted that half of the field was removed with large cranes re-positioning the screen.
September 28, 2009: First Regular-Season Home Win at New Stadium
On September 28, 2009, the Cowboys secured their first regular-season home win at their new stadium, beating the Carolina Panthers 21–7 on Monday Night Football.
2009: Cowboys Hand Over Texas Stadium to City of Irving
After Cowboys Stadium was opened in 2009, the Cowboys turned over the facility to the City of Irving.
2009: Last Division Title Before 2014
Going into week 16 of 2014, the Cowboys were in a position to clinch their first division title since 2009.
2009: Largest HDTV Screen
In 2009, AT&T Stadium unveiled its gigantic, center-hung high-definition television screen, at one point the largest in the world.
2009: Favre's Last Playoff Win
In 2009, Brett Favre had his last playoff win of his career, torching the Cowboys.
2009: First Regular Season Home Game at Cowboys Stadium
In 2009, the Cowboys played their first regular season home game at Cowboys Stadium against the New York Giants, losing 33–31 in front of 105,121 fans.
2009: Cowboys Clinch NFC East Title
In 2009, the Dallas Cowboys clinched their second NFC East title in three years and their first post-season win since the 1996 season. Their playoff run ended after being routed in the Divisional Round against the Minnesota Vikings.
2009: Cowboys move to AT&T Stadium
In 2009, the Dallas Cowboys moved to their new home at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
2009: Giants Win First Game at Cowboys Stadium
In 2009, the New York Giants won the first regular-season game played at Cowboys Stadium.
January 2010: Cotton Bowl Classic Moved to AT&T Stadium
Beginning with the January 2010 game, the Cotton Bowl Classic has been played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
April 11, 2010: Demolition of Texas Stadium
Texas Stadium was demolished by implosion on April 11, 2010.
2010: Flagship Radio Station
As of 2010, KRLD-FM is the Cowboys' flagship radio station.
2010: Blue Jersey Game
In 2010, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
2010: Jason Garrett Becomes Cowboys Head Coach
In 2010, Jason Garrett became the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
2010: Phillips Fired, Garrett Interim Coach
In 2010, after beginning the season at 1-7, Wade Phillips was fired as head coach. Jason Garrett was named the interim head coach.
2010: Cowboys Finish 6-10
In 2010, with Garrett as interim head coach, the Cowboys finished the season 6-10 after beginning at 1-7.
2010: Previous Romo Collarbone Injury
In 2015, Tony Romo re-injured the same collarbone he had previously broken in 2010.
February 2, 2011: Partnership with Compass Media Networks
On February 2, 2011, the Cowboys began a five-year partnership with Compass Media Networks to expand its radio broadcasting scope nationally.
November 6, 2011: Haley, Allen, and Pearson Inducted into Ring of Honor
On November 6, 2011, Charles Haley, Larry Allen, and Drew Pearson were inducted into the Ring of Honor during the Cowboys' game vs. the Seattle Seahawks.
2011: Garrett Signed as Head Coach
After serving as interim head coach in 2010, the Cowboys signed Jason Garrett as the head coach for the 2011 season.
2011: New HDTV Screen
In 2011, Charlotte Motor Speedway unveiled its plans for a new HDTV screen larger than the one in AT&T Stadium
2011: Loss to the New York Jets & Season outcome
In 2011, the Cowboys lost to the New York Jets after leading for most of the game. Despite Tony Romo's injury and return, the Cowboys finished the season 8-8 and missed the playoffs after losing to the Giants in Week 17.
2012: Season Outcome
In 2012, the Cowboys started strong by defeating the Super Bowl champion New York Giants but ultimately finished the season 8-8, missing the playoffs after losing to the Washington Redskins in Week 17.
2012: Washington Wins NFC East
In Week 17 of 2012, Washington defeated Dallas 28–18 to win the NFC East.
2012: Final Season of Throwback Uniform Use
The Cowboys continued to use this "throwback" uniform through Thanksgiving Day 2012.
July 25, 2013: AT&T Takes Over Stadium Naming Rights
On July 25, 2013, the Cowboys announced that AT&T would be taking over the rights to the name of the stadium.
2013: NFL One-Helmet Rule
Before the start of the 2013 season, the NFL announced a "One-helmet" rule to help prevent potential player concussions, which prevented the Cowboys from pairing the white helmets with the throwback uniforms.
2013: Cowboys vs. Eagles Games
During the 2013 season, Dallas won the first meeting 17–3 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The two teams met again in Week 17 at AT&T Stadium with the winner clinching the 2013 NFC East title. The Eagles won 24-22.
2013: AT&T acquires stadium naming rights
In 2013, AT&T acquired the naming rights to the Dallas Cowboys' stadium, officially renaming it AT&T Stadium.
2013: Season Outcome
In 2013, the Cowboys finished with an 8-8 record for the third consecutive year, losing the Week 17 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. Tony Romo's injury led to Kyle Orton playing the final game.
2013: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2013, the team wore their normal blue jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
2013: NFL Helmet Rule Impact on Alternate Jerseys
In 2013, with the implementation of the NFL helmet rule for alternate jerseys, the Cowboys decided to wear their regular blue jerseys for their Thanksgiving game.
2014: Washington's Upset Victory
In 2014, Washington secured an upset victory against Dallas, despite the Cowboys outclassing them in the overall standings.
2014: Cowboys vs. Eagles Games
In 2014, the Cowboys and Eagles both won against each other on the road with Philadelphia posting a dominant 33–10 win on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas, and Dallas returning the favor two weeks later by defeating the Eagles 38–27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
2014: NFC East Champions
In 2014, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East title for the first time since 2009 after defeating the Indianapolis Colts and ending the regular season with a 12-4 record.
2014: Cowboys generate $620 million in revenue
In 2014, the Dallas Cowboys generated $620 million in revenue, a record for a U.S. sports team.
2014: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2014, the team wore their normal blue jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
January 4, 2015: Wild Card Victory Over Detroit Lions
On January 4, 2015, the Cowboys defeated the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, marking the first time in franchise history they rallied from a halftime deficit of 10 or more points to win a playoff game.
November 1, 2015: Darren Woodson Inducted
On November 1, 2015, Darren Woodson was inducted into the Ring of Honor.
November 26, 2015: Color Rush Jersey
On November 26, 2015, the Cowboys wore a variation of the 1994 "Double-Star" jersey as their Color Rush on Thanksgiving Day against the Carolina Panthers.
2015: Dez Bryant Contract & DeMarco Murray Departure
In 2015, DeMarco Murray became a free agent and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dez Bryant signed a 5-year, $70 million contract.
2015: Romo's Injury & Season Outcome
In 2015, Tony Romo suffered a broken collarbone, contributing to a seven-game losing streak. The Cowboys finished the season with a 4-12 record.
2015: Voyeurism incident at AT&T Stadium
In 2015, an incident occurred at AT&T Stadium where Rich Dalrymple allegedly engaged in voyeurism in the cheerleaders' locker room.
2015: Color Rush Uniform Release
In 2015, the Cowboys released their Color Rush uniform, featuring a variation of the 1990s "Double Star" alternates with white pants and socks.
2015: Cowboys valued at $4 billion
In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys became the first sports team to be valued at $4 billion, making them the most valuable sports team in the world, according to Forbes.
2015: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2015, the team wore their Color Rush uniforms at home for Thanksgiving
2016: Dak Prescott Takes Over as Starting Quarterback
In 2016, Dak Prescott became the starting quarterback after an injury to Tony Romo, leading the Cowboys to an eleven-game winning streak.
2016: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2016, the team wore their normal blue jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
2016: Color Rush Uniform on Thursday Night Football
Since 2016, the Color Rush uniform has been used in subsequent Thursday Night Football games.
2016: Best Record Since 2016
The Cowboys finished the 2021 season with a 12-5 record, which was their best since 2016.
February 4, 2017: Prescott Named Rookie of the Year
On February 4, 2017, Dak Prescott was named NFL Rookie of the Year, and Ezekiel Elliott led the league in rushing yards, with Jason Garrett named Coach of the Year. Both players made the Pro Bowl, marking the first time two Cowboys rookies were selected.
December 10, 2017: Debut of Navy Uniform-White Pants Combination
On December 10, 2017, the Cowboys first used a navy uniform-white pants combination against the Giants.
2017: Romo Retirement, Elliott Suspension, and End of an Era
In 2017, Tony Romo retired after 14 seasons. Ezekiel Elliott was suspended, and the Cowboys finished 9-7. Dez Bryant was released, and Jason Witten retired.
2017: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2017, the team wore their normal blue jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
2017: Blue Uniform/White Pants Combination Debut
Since its 2017 debut, the Cowboys sport a 8–4 record when wearing the primary blue uniform/white pants combination.
2017: All or Nothing Season
The Dallas Cowboys' 2017 season was featured on Amazon's sports documentary series All or Nothing.
November 29, 2018: Gil Brandt Inducted
On November 29, 2018, Executive Gil Brandt was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
2018: NFC East Title & Playoff Loss
In 2018, the Cowboys finished with a 10-6 record, won the NFC East, and lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the playoffs after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round.
2018: Cowboys valued at $5 billion
In 2018, the Dallas Cowboys became the first NFL franchise to be valued at $5 billion, and Forbes listed them as the most valued NFL team for the 12th straight year.
2018: Rams Defeat Cowboys
In 2018, the Rams defeated the Cowboys in the Divisional Round.
2018: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2018, the team wore their regular white jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
2018: Last Winning Season Before 2021
The 2021 season resulted in the first winning season since 2018 and first playoff berth since 2018 for the Dallas Cowboys.
2019: Jason Garrett's Last Year as Cowboys Head Coach
2019 was Jason Garrett's last year as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
2019: Jason Garrett Departure
Following the 2019 season, the Cowboys parted ways with head coach Jason Garrett.
2019: Most Blue Jersey Games
In 2019, the Cowboys wore their blue uniforms eight times, the most of any season.
2019: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2019, the team wore their regular white jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
November 26, 2020: Color Rush Jersey
On November 26, 2020, the Color Rush was used again on Thanksgiving against the Washington Football Team.
2020: Prescott's Ankle Injury & Defensive Struggles
In 2020, Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury. The Cowboys finished 6-10, with significant struggles on defense, leading to the dismissal of defensive coaches.
2020: Blue Jersey Game
In 2020, Dallas wore blue in one regular season game
2020: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2020, the team wore their Color Rush uniforms at home for Thanksgiving
2021: NFC East Title & Playoff Loss
In 2021, the Cowboys clinched their first playoff berth and NFC East title since 2018. They finished the season 12-5 but lost in the wild card round. Micah Parsons was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.
2021: NFC East Division Win
In 2021, the Cowboys won the NFC East division for the first time since the 2021 season.
2021: Return of Bicentennial Stripe
In 2021, the red-white-blue stripe configuration returned and is now worn for one regular season game annually when the team pays tribute to Medal of Honor recipients.
2021: Thanksgiving Home Game Jersey
In 2021, the team wore their regular white jerseys at home for Thanksgiving
February 16, 2022: Settlement Paid in Voyeurism Case
On February 16, 2022, a settlement of $2.4 million was paid after cheerleaders accused Rich Dalrymple of voyeurism at a 2015 event.
April 13, 2022: Blockchain Sponsorship Deal
On April 13, 2022, the Dallas Cowboys became the first NFL team to sign a blockchain sponsorship, partnering with Blockchain.com.
November 24, 2022: Restoration of Alternate Helmets
In 2022, the NFL restored the use of alternate helmets and the Cowboys reinstated the white helmet and navy 'throwback" uniforms on November 24, 2022, against the New York Giants.
2022: All-Time Series Tied
As of 2022, the Cowboys and Rams tied the all-time regular season series 18–18.
2022: Unofficially Inactive Numbers
As of 2022, the Dallas Cowboys keep six jersey numbers "unofficially inactive".
2022: Color Rush Uniform with White Helmet
In 2022, the "Color Rush" uniforms would be worn with a white helmet; this design would emulate their current silver helmets but without any silver elements.
2022: NFC Wild Card Round Victory
In 2022, the Cowboys won in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while wearing their blue uniforms.
2022: Repeat of 12-5 Record and Playoff Berth
In 2022, the Dallas Cowboys repeated their 12–5 record and clinched a playoff berth after the Washington Commanders lost. Dak Prescott was also awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
2022: Alternate Helmets Reintroduced
In 2022, the NFL once again allowed teams to use alternate helmets, and the Cowboys reintroduced the 1960s white helmet.
October 29, 2023: DeMarcus Ware Inducted
On October 29, 2023, DeMarcus Ware was inducted into the Ring of Honor.
December 30, 2023: Jimmy Johnson Inducted
On December 30, 2023, Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the Ring of Honor.
2023: Cowboys Lead All-Time Series
As of the 2023 season, the Cowboys lead the all-time series against the Vikings 19–15.
2023: Another 12-5 Season and Playoff Loss
In 2023, the Cowboys achieved a 12–5 record for the third year in a row, won the NFC East, and clinched a playoff berth. However, they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round.
2024: Cowboys' Blue Uniform Record
As of the 2024 season, the Cowboys have a cumulative 99–102–3 regular season record in their blue uniforms.
January 13, 2025: McCarthy not returning as head coach
On January 13, 2025, it was announced that McCarthy would not be returning as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys due to a contract dispute.
January 24, 2025: Brian Schottenheimer Promoted to Head Coach
On January 24, 2025, Brian Schottenheimer was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
