CATCH 22
By Scott M. Knudsen - Plano, TX
Inspired by a Frank Luksa column appearing in a recent edition of the Dallas
Morning News, I felt compelled to write and make a plea to the Cowboys' Faithful
within this distribution base.
The crux of Mr. Luksa's column was Emmitt Smith's run towards Walter Payton's
all-time rushing record is being "tarnished" by the fact the Cowboys
haven't verbally, or in writing, committed anything (continued seniority or
playing time) beyond the 2002 season. It's commentary like this that sends my
blood pressure to a boiling point. I will address Mr. Luksa's observations in
a moment, but first a plea to all who read Luksa-like dribble and make the snap
reaction, "how can the Cowboys' treat our beloved hero like this?"
The fact of the matter is, at this point in time, we shouldn't be concerned with this issue at all. Can't we all stop to savor the moment at hand or the one soon to arrive on our viewing doorsteps in the next couple of months? Emmitt Smith, the heart and soul, and our beloved rock-toting Cowboy, is about to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Stop to think about that for a moment. Monumental. A once in a lifetime achievement, and we Faithful are going to be privileged to witness the phenomenal feat in our livelihood. History transpiring right before our eyes. Why can't we stop, enjoy, celebrate and pay thanks to this crowning achievement? Why does anyone have to be wronged? This, like the man about ready to break Payton's record, is LEGENDARY. If we're not honed in to the sheer excitement and satisfaction this event will bring, it'll pass us by like a million of life's daily little pleasures. Like the old cliché so adequately beckons….. stop and smell the roses. These things don't happen very often. In this quest there are no bad guys or grudge battles, just the will of one individual and the support of a team achieving a milestone. Let's not sacrifice this priceless piece of Cowboys' history for debate over what will ultimately be nothing more than a business decision.
Back to Mr. Luksa's issue. Today's writers, especially sports columnists, continue
to disappoint on a daily basis. Everything seems to center on controversy, real
or manufactured. His recent work was designed to shoot another arrow at the
bulls eye firmly affixed to Jerry Jones' back. Jerry is a businessman. Always
has been, always will be. In case you haven't noticed, professional football
is a business. BIG BUSINESS. Jerry's most attributable quality is loyalty. Almost,
and at times, to a fault. He, like we Faithful, would love nothing more than
to see Emmitt retire a Dallas Cowboy. It would kill us, and Jerry especially,
to see Emmitt darn the jersey of another organization. Talk about sacrilegious.
But, let's be clear on one thing. Emmitt has greatly surpassed the normal shelf
life of a NFL running back.
A soon-to-be 34-year-old freak of nature and a defier of all odds.
Riddle me this, if you're Jerry Jones are you going to risk $10 million/year in hopes the dice continue to roll favorably? The 2002 version of the Dallas Cowboys is forged on fiscal responsibility. There is no need to throw that philosophy out the window in 2003. We've been to that purgatory, and we don't need a return visit. There lies an answer somewhere within all the "what ifs," but now is not the time to uncover or speculate. Now is the time to relish and give thanks for Emmitt Smith. Without the man, the 90's success story never gets written. Let's forget who is doing whom wrong. Let's not diminish the great accomplishments of the Pensacola Wonder. The tough questions and answers, like the speculation, are best left for the off-season.
Give'em hell Emmitt. Run to glory. Run like you've never run before. Enjoy
each and every yard. The Cowboys' Nation is perched right there on your shoulder
pads. You're the grandest of Cowboys, you've always been a Cowboy, and you'll
always be a Cowboy. Saddle up and ride yourself deeper into the record book.
We wish you nothing but continued success!!!! There is nothing that can "tarnish"
what you've accomplished in your personal, professional, and spiritual life.
I just thank God, and my lucky stars, I was here to see it all.
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