Why Tom Landry died a Giants fan

[Wolf]

http://nypost.com/2013/10/31/why-tom-landry-died-a-giants-fan/

Tom Landry died a … Giants fan!
Yes, according to the widow of the legendary Cowboys coach who says in a new book that Landry was so disgusted by Jerry Jones’ treatment of him during and after his 1989 firing that he spent the rest of his life rooting for Big Blue instead of America’s Team.
According to “The Last Cowboy: A Life of Tom Landry,” by Long Island author Mark Ribowsky, Alicia Landry also claims that Jones took away the Landry family’s suite at since-demolished Texas Stadium and barred Landry’s son, Tom Jr., without explanation from continuing to buy Cowboys season tickets.
Jones’ behavior prompted Tom Landry to renew his love of the Giants — where he had served as defensive coordinator from 1954 until taking over the expansion Cowboys in 1960 — until his death in 2000.

 

[Double Barrel]

 

[infantrycak]

Of course Landry liked the Giants. After flying B-17 missions in WWII the Giants drafted him twice (once as an underclassman and then again when the New York Yankees went under), he played for them (at an all pro level) and coached for them both during his playing career and after.

 

[Double Barrel]

yeah, it makes sense. But just strange to realize it after 29 years as the Cowboys HC. Growing up, he was synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys, and even Cowboys haters often loved Tom Landry for what he represented.

Honestly, Jones missed a golden marketing opportunity. Even though Bud Adams acted like a jerk with Bum, they made up within a decade and Bum started calling Oilers games on the radio. Obviously different situations - mainly because Landry won championships and was there for three decades - but Jones could have tried to rectify his initial treatment for the good of his franchise. But, I don't think it's in his DNA to be that way, all things considered (especially after seeing the episode of "A Football Life" on Jimmy Johnson).

 

[infantrycak]

yeah, it makes sense. But just strange to realize it after 29 years as the Cowboys HC. Growing up, he was synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys, and even Cowboys haters often loved Tom Landry for what he represented.

Don't get me wrong - Jerry Jones was an ass to a Texas icon and you are right he blew giant marketing potential (and he isn't even a Texan). But the Giants were Landry's first girlfriend and they were key in him getting the Cowboys.

Oh and he hated the America's Team stuff by the way.

 

[Double Barrel]

Don't get me wrong - Jerry Jones was an ass to a Texas icon and you are right he blew giant marketing potential (and he isn't even a Texan). But the Giants were Landry's first girlfriend and they were key in him getting the Cowboys.

Oh and he hated the America's Team stuff by the way.

After seeing "A Football Life" on Landry, my respect and admiration for him went through the roof. I loved the back story with him and Vince Lombardi with the Giants, and the impact those to men had on pro football is immeasurable. Like I said before, the championship trophy could just as easily be called the Landry award, as far as I'm concerned.

When you see a true legend like Landry get cast aside as a mere business decision, it should be clear that nobody in the NFL is truly untouchable.

Speaking of Lombardi, I just read that they are doing two episodes of "A Football Life" on him in December. That should be cool. (The episode I'm really looking forward to is Houston '93, for obvious reasons.)