Jerry Jones is No Jackass

For years, Jerry Jones has been the favorite whipping post of some of Dallas' most iconic sports media. Randy Galloway, the half-sober, deep-voiced columnist and radio personality has worked overtime to paint Jones as a bumbling idiot. Dale Hansen, the egomaniacal sports anchor for the local ABC affiliate, can barely hide his hatred of the Cowboys' owner (and I am sure it has nothing whatever to do with Jones firing him as the Cowboys' radio network color analyst.)



Certainly, Jones brings much of the criticism on himself. He isn't the best-spoken individual. In fact, he may be among the worst. His public speeches and interviews are usually laced with misspeaks, butchered words, and nonsensical ramblings. In that regard, Jones is sort of like our much-maligned president. People assume he is a dummy because he stumbles over his words so much. (Not really sure how many self-made "dumb" billionaires there are in the world, though.)

So Jerry gets criticism from every corner but one. You never here current or former players go off on him. You never hear them talk about how he sucks as a general manager or as an owner. And you sure never hear them say he is unfair in his dealings with them. Why would they? From Troy Aikman to Emmitt Smith to Tony Romo, Jerry has proven that he will loosen the purse strings and pay market value or better to the men who make his organization go.

Jerry got it right with Romo. He waited to see if last season's production was an aberration, but he didn't wait too long. He didn't use the incredible leverage he possessed in the form of a franchise player tag. He didn't let negotiations drag on and become a distraction to the team or a sore spot for Tony. Nope! Jerry ponied up. He always does. Now it is up to the sixty-million dollar kid with the hundred-million dollar grin to prove he's worth it.

Hey, I am not saying Jerry is above criticism. Heck, I will find more than ample opportunity to do just that myself. I am just saying that, contrary to Tweedle Dee (Dale Hansen) and Tweedle Dumb (Randy Galloway), Jerry is neither a dumbass (that would be Galloway) nor a jackass (Hansen).