As Jamal Adams’ trade demand to the New York Jets and expressed desire to join the Dallas Cowboys swirl around sports media, one major NFL reporter observed this morning that Adams’ case isn’t unique. In fact, according to him, the vast majority of players hope to play for the Cowboys.
Albert Breer, senior reporter for Sports Illustrated’s MMQB, used to cover the Cowboys while working for the Dallas Morning News. He tweeted the following this morning:
Re: Jamal Adams … I remember some advice I got from @calvinwatkins when I got on the Cowboys beat. "Stop asking guys from other teams if they want to play for the Cowboys. They all want to play for the Cowboys."
He was right. So Adams wanting to go there isn't exactly unique.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 23, 2020
If nothing else, this has been plainly evident when it comes to All-Pro safeties. Before Jamal Adams, it was Earl Thomas chasing Jason Garrett down in a corridor a few years ago and leaving little doubt which team he wanted to join if he could get away from Seattle.
But it’s not hard to see why any NFL player, and particularly stars, would want to come to Dallas. The marketing and endorsement opportunities are greater given the team’s high profile and huge national fanbase.
Make no mistake; plenty of Cowboys have made it to a few extra Pro Bowls thanks to wearing The Star (e.g. Flozell Adams).
On top of the perks of playing for America’s Team, the lack of state income taxes in Texas are an additional selling point for multi-millionaire athletes. It comes all the more relevant the higher up the financial food chain you go.
Players like Adams and Thomas have had personal reasons as well, growing up in Texas and as Cowboys fans. But even if you aren’t an in-state product, there’s a solid chance you rooted for Dallas as a kid given that same national following we just discussed.
Honestly, this isn’t breaking news to Cowboys Nation. But it’s nice to see a national media personality admit what we’ve known for a long time; paying for the Dallas Cowboys is a dream on top of a dream for many NFL players.
Hopefully for us and Jamal Adams, his dream will come true in 2020.
