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Commanders Declare Cowboys Rival True 'America's Team'
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

FRISCO — Back in 1979, legendary NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall innocently introduced the Dallas Cowboys as "America's Team" in their season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. That nickname has held firm for decades, withstanding some brutal years for a franchise starved of postseason success. 

While the days of perennial conference championship and Super Bowl contention are seemingly long gone, the brand of the Star has not faded one bit. Instead, the Cowboys remain a titan of the American sports industry. 

For the large segment of fans opposed to the Cowboys, this "America's Team" nickname is smeared and criticized at any opportunity. Unfortunately, Dallas has give their haters plenty of those chances. 

Now, opposing fans have begun to claim the moniker for their own franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs' success over the last decade spirited such a revolution from their fans and now added something a little extra for this season's Thanksgiving Day game between the two teams.

This week, the Washington Commanders inserted themselves into the discussion after Commanders Foundation chair Majorie Harris coined it this week. 

"We have so much to look forward to and look the Commanders are America's Team. What better place than to have the NFL Draft than in the Mall?"

The Commanders will be the hosts of the 2027 NFL Draft set to take place in Washington D.C. Washington may hold claim to America's capital but certainly not their team. 

Conceding that there is an aspect of entitlement to this nickname, the Cowboys' title of "America's Team" was not self-proclaimed. So as Chiefs and Commanders supporters pile on with their own arguments for the moniker, none of them stick and especially not in Washington's case. 

Even with the patriotic ties of one and the globalized romances of the other, neither of those franchises can level with the brand the Cowboys have established. 

For the Cowboys, they need to give their fans some gusto to back that title by stringing together more victories in the postseason and returning to title contention

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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