Jason Garrett Won't Let Rookies Wear The Cowboy's Star On Their Helmet - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-01-2011, 10:53 PM

-- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett wants his rookies to earn their spots on the roster in so many different ways.

And to emphasize what it means to play for the Cowboys, Garrett won't even allow the rookies -- from first-round pick Tyron Smith all the way down to the undrafted free agents -- to wear the star decal on the side of their silver helmets.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett had his equipment staff take the star decal off the side of every helmet worn by rookies -- including Mario Butler. "The star is very important to us," Garrett said Monday. "... You have to earn the right to wear that star."

And Smith is the projected starter at right tackle.

"The star is very important to us," Garrett said after Monday's walkthrough practice. "The star is an international symbol. It's the Dallas football Cowboys. And the players hear me say that a lot. The star means something.

"This team has been around 51 years, and it's a great tradition. You have to earn the right to wear that star, and we're very clear with the players about that. Just because you sign with the Dallas Cowboys doesn't mean you earned that thing yet."

Rookie cornerback Josh Thomas seemed motivated by the policy.

"Coach Garrett said, 'You guys are going to have to earn the star,' and I'm like, 'Heck yeah, I want to earn my star,'" the fifth-round pick said. "I'm not about receiving things for free. This is an opportunity, and when you do get the star on your helmet then you know you earned it. It's a privilege to wear that star on your helmet."

It has not been determined when the stars will be placed on the helmets, but all will be donning them for the preseason opener on Aug. 11.

"The veteran players have them on and the young players do not have them on," Garrett said. "Hopefully, at some point, they will do the things necessary to earn that star on the side of their helmet."

More on the Cowboys

It's not the first time a Cowboys coach didn't allow stars on the helmets during training camp.

When Bill Parcells became the coach in 2003, he didn't let rookies wear a star on their helmet. Parcells went so far as to make the first-round picks bring him a cup of water during breaks in practice.

The star on the field and against the walls of old Texas Stadium has always been a source of pride for the Cowboys.

In 2000, wide receiver Terrell Owens, then with the San Francisco 49ers, ran to the midfield star and posed with his arms outstretched after scoring both of his two touchdowns. On the second, Cowboys safety George Teague knocked down Owens, and tempers between both teams became heated.

In the same game, running back Emmitt Smith ran to the midfield star after scoring, slammed the ball down and glared at the 49ers sideline.

In 2006, Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Furrey scored and threw a football against the Texas Stadium end zone wall, knocking down one of the white stars and drawing boos from the crowd.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/...r-helmet-stars

Mr. Television · 08-01-2011, 10:57 PM

I am liking what I'm hearing out of Garrett. It's quite a difference from Coach Cupcake the last few years. The way the team played last year though, I think over half the team's veterans need to earn the star as well. They were a disgrace especially that defense.

Dork · 08-02-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I am liking what I'm hearing out of Garrett. It's quite a difference from Coach Cupcake the last few years. The way the team played last year though, I think over half the team's veterans need to earn the star as well. They were a disgrace especially that defense.

I think Garrett is going to be a good coach, what Garrett is doing is pretty smart, make them earn the star by working hard on the field, more teams need to follow suit like this

Schmoopie · 08-03-2011, 04:44 AM

Interesting idea. Never knew about this before but after initially thinking it was stupid, it actually makes a lot of sense. Makes them work harder and it will mean more when they can actually wear the star on their helmet.

Dork · 08-03-2011, 07:32 AM

I read that Bill Parcells have done it before

Mr. Television · 08-03-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dork

I read that Bill Parcells have done it before

yea he did.

Dork · 08-03-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

yea he did.

Yup!

08-01-2011, 10:53 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Jason Garrett Won't Let Rookies Wear The Cowboy's Star On Their Helmet -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett wants his rookies to earn their spots on the roster in so many different ways. And to emphasize what it means to play for the Cowboys, Garrett won't even allow the rookies -- from first-round pick Tyron Smith all the way down to the undrafted free agents -- to wear the star decal on the side of their silver helmets. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett had his equipment staff take the star decal off the side of every helmet worn by rookies -- including Mario Butler. "The star is very important to us," Garrett said Monday. "... You have to earn the right to wear that star." And Smith is the projected starter at right tackle. "The star is very important to us," Garrett said after Monday's walkthrough practice. "The star is an international symbol. It's the Dallas football Cowboys. And the players hear me say that a lot. The star means something. "This team has been around 51 years, and it's a great tradition. You have to earn the right to wear that star, and we're very clear with the players about that. Just because you sign with the Dallas Cowboys doesn't mean you earned that thing yet." Rookie cornerback Josh Thomas seemed motivated by the policy. "Coach Garrett said, 'You guys are going to have to earn the star,' and I'm like, 'Heck yeah, I want to earn my star,'" the fifth-round pick said. "I'm not about receiving things for free. This is an opportunity, and when you do get the star on your helmet then you know you earned it. It's a privilege to wear that star on your helmet." It has not been determined when the stars will be placed on the helmets, but all will be donning them for the preseason opener on Aug. 11. "The veteran players have them on and the young players do not have them on," Garrett said. "Hopefully, at some point, they will do the things necessary to earn that star on the side of their helmet." More on the Cowboys It's not the first time a Cowboys coach didn't allow stars on the helmets during training camp. When Bill Parcells became the coach in 2003, he didn't let rookies wear a star on their helmet. Parcells went so far as to make the first-round picks bring him a cup of water during breaks in practice. The star on the field and against the walls of old Texas Stadium has always been a source of pride for the Cowboys. In 2000, wide receiver Terrell Owens, then with the San Francisco 49ers, ran to the midfield star and posed with his arms outstretched after scoring both of his two touchdowns. On the second, Cowboys safety George Teague knocked down Owens, and tempers between both teams became heated. In the same game, running back Emmitt Smith ran to the midfield star after scoring, slammed the ball down and glared at the 49ers sideline. In 2006, Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Furrey scored and threw a football against the Texas Stadium end zone wall, knocking down one of the white stars and drawing boos from the crowd. http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/...r-helmet-stars
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08-01-2011, 10:57 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I am liking what I'm hearing out of Garrett. It's quite a difference from Coach Cupcake the last few years. The way the team played last year though, I think over half the team's veterans need to earn the star as well. They were a disgrace especially that defense.
	__________________ Sonny

08-03-2011, 04:44 AM	#4
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Interesting idea. Never knew about this before but after initially thinking it was stupid, it actually makes a lot of sense. Makes them work harder and it will mean more when they can actually wear the star on their helmet.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

08-03-2011, 07:32 AM	#5
Dork Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 591	I read that Bill Parcells have done it before