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Cowboys-Redskins Rivalry History

Cowboys vs. Redskins: Sibling Rivalry (Photo credit: Wayan Vota)

Since I live in an area with a large number of Redskins and Cowboys fans I understand this rivalry- these two clubs HATE EACH OTHER.

Sport Illustrated call this rivalry the top in the NFL and for good reason. As divisional rivals they see each other at least twice a season and both teams have won a combined eight Super Bowls.

But how did it all start and why? Well it’s really about a song and chicken feed.

Yep really.

A Texas oil tycoon Clint Murchison, Jr. wanted to bring an NFL team to Dallas and was having a hard time doing. In 1958 the owner of the Washington Redskins George Preston Marshall wanted to sell the team- and so the Redskins almost moved to Dallas until the last minute Marshall wanted a change in terms. Murchison wasn’t happy and the whole deal called off.

Then along came a man named Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin was the Redskin band director and the composer of “Hail to the Redskins.” Breeskin got into a disagreement with Marshall (see a pattern with this guy) and wanted revenge. Breeskin sold the rights to “Hail to the Redskins” for $2,500 to Murchison!

Murchison worked with the NFL to get an expansion team in Dallas and had every other owner’s approval- except you guessed Marshall. Even today in order to create an expanision team in the NFL you need unanimous owner’s approval and Marshall was the only hold out.

Until Marshall realized that Murchison owned the rights to a particular song. In order to get the rights back Marshall agreed to the expansion and the Dallas Cowboys were founded and began playing in 1960.

The fighting should be over right- no one more dig was needed. Back then there wasn’t free agency so in order to build a team Dallas was allowed to pick from certain players from other NFL teams– unless they were protected. Murchison picked Redskins’ Pro Bowl quarterback Eddie LeBaron as their starter. Marshall forgot to protect LeBaron.

How the Fans Got Involved

Back in the early days of the rivalry the fans acted like college fans do- crazy- and none better than the Cowboys Chicken Club.

December 1961 Cowboy fans sneaked into D.C. Stadium with bags of chicken feed. The idea was that during the Redskins’ half time show when Santa Claus would arrive by a sled the pranksters would release dozens of chickens on the field – 75 white and one black because the Marshall was the only owner in the league who wouldn’t put African-American players on the field.

The CCC actually got the chickens into the stadium the morning of the game and was unspotted until halftime when an official from the Redskins noticed the crates and sounds of chickens. The CCC tried to bribe the official but the official was actually Redskin general manager Dick McCann. The CCC members were arrested and the chicken confiscated.

The next year the CCC got into Marshall’s hotel room and put a large turkey in the bathroom the night before the game. Marshall fled the hotel room. Minutes before kickoff four banners reading “CHICKENS” in both end zones and on both sides of the 50 yard line were shown in the upper decks while “Hail to the Redskins” played in the stadium. Then acrobats hired by the CCC rushed onto the field in chicken costumes and started throwing eggs. One was caught but another one released a chicken during the National Anthem. By the time the players went onto the field the acrobat escaped.

The Cowboys would win that game 38-10 and the Dallas News reported that the attendance was 49,888 and one chicken.

Other memorable moments in the Rivalry

Jan 22, 1983- NFC Championship Game at RFK- Redskins defeated Cowboys to earn a trip to Super Bowl XVII and the Redskins first Super Bowl win.

The 1983 NFL season opener on MNF the Redskins were wining 23-3 at the half. Then Dallas came back and won 31-30.

December 9, 1984, down 21-6 at halftime Redskins scored 17 unanswered points on turnovers to get a 23-21 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Redskins won that game 30-28 and it was the first time in the rivalry when the Redskins swept the Cowboys.

September 9, 1985, Redskins QB Joe Thesimann celebrated his birthday at Texas Stadium with a performance including five interceptions and a benching by Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. The Dallas fans started to sing Happy Birthday to Thesimann and the Cowboys won 44-14.

1987 Scab Game- the Cowboys had more players cross the picket line during the 1987 strike than any other team. The Redskins had replacement players considered of less caliber but still pulled out a victory. This game is considered the inspiration for the 2000 movie The Replacements. The Redskins also won the Super Bowl that season.

1989 was not a good year for the Cowboys- except for the November 5 game against the Redskins- the one victory that whole season.

In the early 1990s both teams were at the top of the NFL ranks thanks largely to the Dallas big three of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irving.

1991- Redskins were undefeated going into the game and the Cowboys gave the Redskins their only loss for the season- the Redskins would win the Super Bowl that year.

1992- Emmitt Smith had a career performance with a 140 rushing yards in a win against the Super Bowl champs. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl that year but the Redskins got a bit of revenge with a win of their own.

1993- the Redskins embarrass the Cowboys- notice a pattern- with a win. This was only four wins for the Redskins that season that would add another Super Bowl win for the Cowboys.

1996- the Redskins would close out the home stand at RFK Stadium with a win against the Cowboys.

After 1996 the years have not been kind to either team- in fact in 2001 both teams came into their MNF game with an 0-4 record. Dallas won both games that year.

2002- the Redskins broke a 11-game losing streak to Dallas with a win 20-14 and both teams had losing records

2005- during the game when Aikman, Smith, and Irvin were inducted into the Cowboys “Ring of Honor” the Redskins won the game.

Despite the history the Cowboys have owned the rivalry- 62-40-2. Today they meet for the Thanksgiving game– and it is sure to be exciting.