50 Incredible Dallas Cowboys Facts Every NFL Fan Should Know

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most iconic teams in the NFL, with a rich history of championships, legendary players, and passionate fans. Known as “America’s Team,” the Cowboys have built a legacy that stretches far beyond the football field. From their early beginnings in 1960 to their global brand today, these Dallas Cowboys facts highlight why the team remains one of the most popular and valuable sports franchises in the world.

Here are 50 fascinating facts about the Dallas Cowboys.

Origins and History

1. The Dallas Cowboys were founded in 1960 as an NFL expansion team.
2. Their original name was the Dallas Steers, then briefly the Dallas Rangers, before settling on Cowboys.
3. Clint Murchison Jr. was the original owner of the franchise.
4. The Cowboys are based in Arlington, Texas, a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth.
5. The team’s first head coach was Tom Landry, who coached for 29 seasons (1960–1988).

Super Bowl Legacy

6. The Cowboys have won 5 Super Bowls (1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, 1995).
7. They have appeared in 8 Super Bowls, tied for second-most in NFL history.
8. The Cowboys were the first team to win three Super Bowls in four years (1992, 1993, 1995).
9. The franchise’s Super Bowl victories came under coaches Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, and Barry Switzer.
10. The Cowboys’ last Super Bowl win was in 1995, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Legendary Players

11. Roger Staubach, known as “Captain America,” led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins.
12. Troy Aikman was the quarterback for the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, winning three Super Bowls.
13. Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards—most of them with the Cowboys.
14. Michael Irvin, nicknamed “The Playmaker,” was one of the NFL’s most dominant receivers in the 1990s.
15. Tony Dorsett is remembered for his 99-yard touchdown run in 1983—the longest in NFL history.
16. Jason Witten is one of the greatest tight ends ever, with 1,215 career receptions.
17. DeMarcus Ware holds the Cowboys’ franchise record for sacks.
18. Bob Lilly, known as “Mr. Cowboy,” was the first player ever drafted by the team.
19. Drew Pearson, famous for the “Hail Mary” catch from Staubach in 1975, became a Hall of Famer in 2021.
20. Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards twice while with the Cowboys.

Coaches and Leadership

21. Tom Landry won two Super Bowls and recorded 20 consecutive winning seasons.
22. Jimmy Johnson built the 1990s dynasty, winning back-to-back Super Bowls.
23. Barry Switzer won a Super Bowl in 1995 with Johnson’s core roster.
24. Bill Parcells coached the Cowboys from 2003 to 2006, bringing discipline back to the team.
25. Current head coach Mike McCarthy previously won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.

Stadium and Facilities

26. The Cowboys played at the Cotton Bowl during their first years (1960–1971).
27. From 1971 to 2008, their home was Texas Stadium, known for its iconic hole in the roof.
28. Since 2009, they’ve played at AT&T Stadium, also called “Jerry World.”
29. AT&T Stadium has a capacity of over 100,000, making it one of the largest in the NFL.
30. The stadium features one of the largest HD video boards in the world, measuring 160 feet wide.

Rivalries

31. The Cowboys’ biggest rival is the Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins).
32. They also have intense rivalries with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the NFC East.
33. The Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have one of the NFL’s most historic playoff rivalries.
34. The Cowboys-Packers rivalry includes the famous 1967 “Ice Bowl.”
35. Their matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl defined the 1970s and 1990s.

Records and Achievements

36. The Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, valued at over $9 billion (2023).
37. They hold the NFL record for 20 consecutive winning seasons (1966–1985).
38. The Cowboys were the first team to play in five Super Bowls.
39. They were the first NFL team to win three Super Bowls in four years.
40. The Cowboys have the most playoff appearances in NFL history (35+).

Culture and Identity

41. The Cowboys are nicknamed “America’s Team”, a phrase popularized in the 1970s.
42. Their cheerleaders, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, are world famous.
43. The team colors are navy blue, silver, and white.
44. The Cowboys’ iconic star logo represents Texas as the “Lone Star State.”
45. The Thanksgiving Day game tradition began in 1966, and the Cowboys have hosted almost every year since.

Fun and Unique Trivia

46. The Cowboys were the first NFL team to broadcast games in Spanish.
47. Clint Murchison, the original owner, once bought the rights to the Washington team’s fight song to ensure the Cowboys could get NFL approval.
48. The Cowboys were the first team to win a Super Bowl with a wild-card playoff berth (1975).
49. In 2014, Tony Romo and Dez Bryant set a record for most Cowboys QB-WR touchdown connections.
50. The Cowboys are the only NFL team to post 190 consecutive sold-out games at home and on the road.

Conclusion

The Dallas Cowboys are more than just a football team—they’re a cultural phenomenon. With five Super Bowl victories, legendary players, record-breaking achievements, and a fanbase that spans the globe, the Cowboys truly live up to their nickname: “America’s Team.”

These 50 Dallas Cowboys facts show why the team continues to capture the imagination of NFL fans around the world.