Skins vs. Cowboys: The real story
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 27, 2002
The Redskins vs. the Cow-boys. The most storied and heated rivalry not just in the NFL, but in all of sports. No matter which team is having a better year at the time, the other team sometimes finds a way to win. And even if both teams are in the midst of mediocre seasons (today, they bring a combined 9-13 record to the table), it’s difficult not to feel excited as the biggest brawl in sports history makes another stop on our televisions.
Why do these teams so despise one another? Over four decades ago, before the ‘Boys even existed, the seeds for the rivalry were planted.
It was 1960, and his name was Clint Murchison, and he wanted to bring a expansion team to the Lone Star state. When Murchi-son approached ‘Skins owner George Preston Marshall about his voting plans, Marshall gave him a flat out answer: Ixnay!
But Murchison had an ace up his sleeve (or in this case, in his wallet): the most beloved ditty in all of sports: &uot;Hail to the Redskins.&uot;
Murchison met bandleader Barnee Breeskin, who had written the song. The recently-divorced Breeskin was in need of money; Murchison just needed a favor.
For $5,000, Murchison purchased &uot;Hail to the Redskins.&uot; Then he sent a message to Marshall: If you ever want to hear your song again, you’d better cast the right vote come Team Selection Day. Thus the Cow-boys – and the hatred – were born.
Washington 20, Dallas 19. The Redskins haven’t beaten Dallas since 1997, and they’ve never beaten them on Thanks-giving (0-5). Daniel Snyder has lost to Jerry Jones six times in a row, and in the world of multi-zillionaires, that’s just not acceptable. Like Mary Rypien, Danny Wuerffel has a tendency to play a mistake-free game one week and stink up the field the next. After ripping St. Louis apart last week, he might be due for a downswing. Stephen Davis will have to step up, and the Redskin defense will need a great game to secure this one.
New England 30, Detroit 6. What do you mean there’s another game today? Oh yeah, this one. Tom Brady will help his Patriots to an easy win.
