Rob Ninkovich and Domonique Foxworth discuss what they consider a successful season of Cowboys football. (2:01).Will the Cowboys win the NFC East? (2:01).One Saturday night in April, they sat unassisted at a picnic table at Jimmy Johnson’s favorite Italian restaurant on Highway A1A in Florida Keys.His Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman was there, as well as three of his former assistant coaches -- Norv Turner, defensive coordinator Norv Turner, and Tony Wise, his agent. Rich Dalrymple, the University of Miami's public relations chief, was also present. Some of their wives were also present.Johnson spent a day on Johnson's boat fishing and telling stories. There was still one story to tell.It was about the 1992 NFC Championship Game versus the San Francisco 49ers. Dalrymple called it the Cowboys' best hour, borrowing from Winston Churchill.Dalrymple presented the attendees with a double-sided photo framed by Dalrymple. On one side is a picture Johnson holding a towel and smiling.Johnson is preparing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton (Ohio) on Saturday. Many will remember how Johnson led the rebuilding of America's Team using the Herschel Walk trade -- including drafting Emmitt Smith, running back Emmitt Smith, and inheriting Michael Irvin. They formed the "Triplets", and led the Cowboys back-to-back Super Bowls. Some will be impressed by his bravado and calculating ways.ESPN's Jimmy Johnson, 78 tells ESPN the inside scoop on "How 'bout they Cowboys?" Mary Beth Koeth, ESPNJohnson's career was shaped by the victory of the Cowboys over San Francisco in Super Bowl XXVII."I don’t mean to put any damper on things. "No, no. But you understand that we still have one game to play," Johnson was seen telling his players by the CBS cameras after the win. "Hey, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. Each and every one of you. This is not the last 60 minutes. The minicamps, quarterback schools, and the offseason are all included. All of it. You did a great job, everybody."And all I have to say is: 'How 'bout they Cowboys?'This phrase has been a hallmark of NFL history and has been synonymous with the Cowboys.Aikman stated, "It might not have been our ultimate moment." It was our best moment.Aikman presented Johnson to the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday. The coach was able to reflect on his career with the help of his closest friends. They shared pizza, beer, and red wine. It brought back a time of magic in Dallas Cowboys' history.Johnson, 78, said that Johnson was motivated to be the best during that time period and to improve upon it. Johnson spoke with ESPN multiple times."We probably didn't enjoy it as much because of that. We were playing in the Super Bowl after that game. And once the Super Bowl is over you start to prepare for the next season. I was responsible for personnel. I had to rebuild the team, and prepare for the next season. We were driven to improve."I didn't take the time to appreciate the wins."He can now. He can now enjoy every moment of the 1993 game. He drew on a piece paper the spots where new sod had been laid during Saturday's Candlestick Park field walk-through. He explained to Turner, Wannstedt, and Joe Avezzano, special teams coordinator, where to avoid certain runs or blitzes.This was to have been a coronation of Steve Young, the 49ers' quarterback, who had replaced Joe Montana. From the 1981 NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys are still haunted by Dwight Clark's catch.These Cowboys were just 1-15 four seasons ago.This was the day that "How 'bout they Cowboys?" was born. It was the day "How 'bout them Cowboys?" was born.Michael Irvin, Hall of Fame wide receiver, said that he wondered where coach got it because he had it in his pocket. "That was his pocket, like he said, "If we win, this is what I'm going say." It was also perfect timing."The locker roomThe San Francisco Giants' opponents used the visitors' clubhouse to dress the players. As a reminder, a picture of Roberto Clemente was posted near the entrance. It was designed for a baseball team so there wasn't enough space for a bigger football team. The locker room was cramped for the coaches, their support staff and all the other people who wanted to celebrate.Former Cowboy Nate Newton, who was a five-time Pro Bowl Guard, said that it was "a little mud shed". "You would expect the 49ers to have Candlestick Park, a better facility. It was a stadium for baseball, just like Washington's stadium RFK. It was not big enough for many men."Aikman, Jim Jeffcoat's teammate, held Jackson in his arms before Johnson addressed them.Aikman stated that Jimmy called everyone up and there was no laughing around. He made this clear from the beginning. It was crucial that everyone settled down when he spoke. Jackson ran up to Jimmy, and he was hooting. I picked him up to make certain he wasn’t running.Coach Jimmy Johnson and Troy Aikman, the Quarterback, celebrate a win of 30-20 against the San Francisco 49ers at the 1992 NFC Championship Game. AP Photo/Susan RaganJohnson stood tall on a blue trunk of equipment so that he could see everyone in the room.Johnson smiled and said, "You don’t realize that I’m quite an athlete." Johnson smiled, "It wobbled slightly, but I maintained my balance."A crew from CBS Sports arrived in the locker room for the first time to capture the comments of the winning coach. Johnson didn't know the cameras were there before Johnson.Dalrymple stated that he kept thinking throughout the week of the game that there would be a lighter moment, and that he would allow the media crew to visit because he was afraid he might say no. "That moment never happened. I was just playing the dice. That's when I heard the words "How 'bout they Cowboys?" It was then that 'How 'bout them Cowboys?' became a reality. Imagine all the T-shirts and ink that wouldn't have been printed if CBS wasn't there.Even today, many who were in the locker room recall the feelings of euphoria. Daryl Johnston, a former fullback, is now 55. He instantly feels 26 when he sees Johnson standing at that small table.Johnston stated that the locker room was frantic after Johnston explained that there were many young men in that same situation for the first-time. As a child, that's what you hoped for as a football player. You're about to go."You can't forget that we were just 1-15 four years ago. Many people were skeptical about Jimmy's ability to coach the NFL.Newton said, "Man, when that happened, we roared, and you thought there were 100,000 people in that room."In 1992, Darren Woodson was a rookie safety with the Cowboys.Woodson stated that he was not able to attend a bowl game at Arizona State because of his situation. "So, you can picture being a rookie at 22, whatever. Jimmy said it best: It was a blast being in that locker room with these dudes. It was amazing to see that alpha dog head coach lead the locker room, and that there was so much energy.In his second season, former cornerback Larry Brown was with Dallas. He would be the Super Bowl MVP against the Steelers three seasons later.Brown stated that Jimmy always talked about what they couldn't do. They're not old enough. They are the youngest team in NFL. They are not good enough. They can't beat the 49ers at Candlestick. They're not going to beat Buffalo. He never said, "How'bout them Cowboys?" We understood his meaning when he said it, even though we didn't know what he meant. It was, "How about these guys that everyone says there's no way."Jimmy Johnson was unaware that CBS Sports cameras were recording his postgame speech as he made his way to the winners' room Jan. 17, 1993. James Smith/Getty ImagesJohnson stated that the 49ers were probably a stronger team than they were on this particular day. We knew that if we beat them, we would win a Super Bowl ring.Two weeks later, at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, California, the Cowboys had the ultimate moment. They defeated the Bills in Super Bowl XXVII 52-17. This marked their return to greatness.However, the Super Bowl VI victory in 1971 ended the notion that the Cowboys were "Next Year's Champs" under Tom Landry. The 1990s Cowboys' seminal moment was when they beat the 49ers.Wannstedt stated, "At that time after that win it legitimized Dallas Cowboys again." "And that included everyone associated with the Cowboys, whether they were players, coaches, owners or any other person if they fell under the Cowboys umbrella. They took it and ran.""How'bout they Cowboys?" Before virality could happen in mere moments, it became viral. It would go viral before anyone knew. Johnson joked that he should have trademarked it.He said, laughing, "Could have made some money."It was not trademarked until 2016 by the Cowboys. They also pay $525 a year to keep the phrase under their control, so licensed apparel is not available."When I sign autographs many times, they ask me to put, "How'bout them 'Boys?" They will ask me to put 'How 'bout them 'Boys?' on my autographs a lot of times. That's a kind of a label for Cowboys fans.There's no escaping itJohnson, his assistant coaches, and players are closing in on the 30th anniversary of Johnson's death. mantra. They don't want to, but it takes them back to a time they were at their best.Woodson stated, "I have personally said it at least one million times."Woodson was on vacation in Italy's Amalfi Coast when he heard the words "How 'bout they Cowboys?" In a surprising way.He said, "We were in that little Italian restaurant." "Most beautiful spot. This little restaurant is located in the middle of a small village. It can accommodate 30 people maximum. So tiny. Nevertheless, the little old lady was there with her family. The place was theirs. She may have been told who I was by her nephew, son, or grandchild. In a deep, Italian accent, she said, "Someone told me to tell them Cowboys?" It was hilarious.Johnson has his own restaurant story.Johnson stated that Johnson was in the Bahamas many years ago, Marsh Harbor. "I was accompanied by some friends and we took a boat to this small island, which is a back-of the-way area. One man looked at me, and couldn't believe that Jimmy Johnson was here. He looked at me again and said, "How'bout they Cowboys?"Johnson was later asked by the man to sign a trading card that he had with him.Johnson replied, "I said, "Yeah. Yeah, send it over," so I passed it down to my wife Rhonda who was sitting beside me. Johnson responded, "Let me take the card." "She fiddled with it for a second. "She kind of fiddled with the card for a second." I replied, "Rhonda, what did that do?" I said, "Rhonda, what did you do?" She replied, "I drew my mustache on your face."Is there anyone who has ever used this famous phrase in a negative tone, similar to Jimmy Johnson's? "Nah. I don't believe anybody would dare to say that." Mary Beth Koeth, ESPNWannstedt jokes with a man at Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida where he is a former Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins coach.Wannstedt stated that he is one of the cart men at the club, and he is as passionate a Dallas Cowboys fan in the world. "Whenever he's out there, and I see him it's a matter who says it first: 'How 'bout they Cowboys? He will say it if I don't. If he doesn’t say it, I will.Newton recalled walking through the National Museum of American History and Culture, Washington when someone shouted "How 'bout they Cowboys?"Newton stated, "That's some funny stuff because all these [Washington Football Team] supporters looked around shaking their heads with disdain."Newton travels the United States mostly by van or car. He enjoys driving on the open roads."Butte, Montana. He said that he knew a friend who lived there, and he took me to see him. He took me to this hole in the wall place, and people are staring at you because of your size. Then, someone found out who I was, and asked, "Hey Nate Newton?" Yes. "How'bout they Cowboys?""I don’t know if it’s a fan or one the people at the bar who wanted our money.Nate Newton, a Cowboys guard, said he heard the phrase "How 'bout they Cowboys?" in numerous places. Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesWhat could it be for "them Cowboys"?Since 1995, the Cowboys have not reached the conference title game. Since 1995, the Cowboys have reached the playoffs ten times. They suffered devastating losses in the divisional round in 2014 (Dez Bryant’s catch was overturned) and 2016, (Aaron Rodgers’ third-and-21 completion). Since their last Super Bowl appearance, they have had eight losing seasons. They also finished 8-8 five times.With all the loss, "How 'bout they Cowboys?" It has taken on a new meaning.Stephen A., an [ESPN] guy, is there to take the Cowboys down when they do something bad. [Smith] is like "How'bout they Cowboys?" Irving laughed. "So it's usable in both directions now."Newton knows it too. Newton is not only familiar with the history of the team, but he is still captivated by the fact that a team has never won a Super Bowl in such a long time."How can a kid see the Cowboys in Super Bowl? He's 25, 22 and hollering, "How 'bout they Cowboys?" Newton stated, "That's what grabs me." Newton said, "I mean, yeah. How 'bout they Cowboys?" They haven't won in 25 years."Johnson has seen it repeated many times, but it has never been used against him.The coach laughed, "Nah," he said. "I don’t think anyone would dare to say that."As the 2021 NFL season starts, there is always hope. Johnson's speech transports Irvin back to Candlestick Park's visitors' locker room every time he speaks.Irvin stated, "And then it makes it make you yearn to hear it again in the same way that you heard it the first time." It has many iterations. It's used by them when they aren't doing well. ... However, the original version is what you want to hear again."Really? 'How bout them Cowboys?"Dak Prescott, Cowboys quarterback, was born six months after Johnson's famous comment. However, he grew to be a Dallas fan and understands what it means.Prescott said it after winning a big one. Prescott stated. "That's what has always stuck with me. They ask me how 'bout them Boys' when I sign autographs many times. They ask me to put 'How 'bout them 'Boys?' on my autographs a lot. That's a kind of a Cowboys fan label. Each team has its own saying and it stuck. It is a great saying."I know that I want to be there and repeat it exactly the way he did. It will mean so much more to me.
