Jerry Jones has long celebrated the stars who built the Dallas Cowboys dynasty, yet his latest comments elevate Michael Irvin above even fellow legend Troy Aikman, crediting the receiver as central to his own legacy.
Speaking during Super Bowl week, the powerful owner suggested the franchise, and even his Hall of Fame recognition, might look very different without Irvin‘s presence and attitude shaping the locker room culture.
Jones was approached at a Fanatics party and asked about Irvin‘s fiery “belt to ass” celebration, which recently resurfaced during his time around the Miami Hurricanes program and drew attention online.
Rather than downplaying the antics, Jones doubled down, insisting Irvin has earned freedom to act as he wishes because of the tone he once set for the Cowboys‘ championship teams.
“Let me say this, what I’m for is for whatever Michael Irvin is for,” Jones said. “I have a gold jacket. I wouldn’t have the gold jacket had Michael Irvin not played for the Cowboys, in a manner of speaking.
“To be involved and be around the winning mentality or that winning physicality — when Michael says it, I listen.”
Irvin‘s résumé backs the admiration, with three Super Bowl titles, nearly 12,000 receiving yards, and a permanent place in the team’s Ring of Honor, symbolizing the physical edge of the 1990s dynasty.
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While Jones reminisces about past icons, attention has also shifted toward potential roster upgrades, particularly the pursuit of Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, a move many viewed as transformative.
Trade speculation intensified as tensions appeared to grow between Crosby and the organization, fueling belief that Dallas could target the elite pass rusher to revive a defense needing consistent disruption.
However, a recent coaching decision complicated that scenario. New head coach Klint Kubiak chose continuity, promoting defensive line coach Rob Leonard, Crosby‘s direct mentor, to coordinator.
Because Leonard has worked closely with Crosby since 2023, the promotion is widely interpreted as an effort to stabilize relations and convince the star defender to remain in Las Vegas.
“With Maxx Crosby‘s future uncertain in Las Vegas,” Ian Rapoport reports. “Worth noting that the Raiders hired the coach with whom he works directly. As one person noted, ‘The plot thickens.'”
Crosby previously influenced organizational decisions, including vocal support for former coach Antonio Pierce, suggesting his standing within the franchise remains significant despite uncertainty.
Dallas still holds valuable draft capital and could pursue a deal if circumstances change, but this internal promotion signals the Raiders are actively working to keep their defensive cornerstone in place.
For Cowboys fans frustrated by a three-decade championship drought, the contrast is stark: Jones celebrates legends who delivered titles, while the present hinges on whether new stars can be acquired to restore that glory.
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