Playing for America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys, brings a level of attention, interest, and unique challenges that set them apart from most other teams in the NFL. The Cowboys have a dedicated fan base that goes beyond just watching games on TV – they offer fan tours at The Star, their training facility in Frisco, Texas.
It has been suggested that these fan tours may be one of the reasons why the Cowboys haven’t made it to an NFC Championship Game since 1995. An ESPN story quoted former players who believed that the tours could be a hindrance to the team’s success, despite their strong regular season performances in recent years.
However, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott doesn’t see the tours as a problem. In an interview with Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com, Prescott stated, “For one, this is all I know. I’m not going to let a couple people touring the building distract me.” He went on to say, “It’s being professional; some things you deal with. Obviously, I guess, the nature of this organization, the tours are probably 10 times more than other places, if other places are doing them. . . . You’ve got to embrace it, honestly. You can walk by and have a negative mindset about it and allow it to ruin your day, or you can be thankful that you’re in an organization that people want to see.”
Prescott compared the tours to playing in front of a large crowd at AT&T Stadium, saying, “If that’s the case, then the crowd is a distraction when you get out there. It’s the NFL. It’s a business that those exact reasons that this game is entertaining; that people want to watch it; that you have the fans that you have and you can create the relationships.”
In Prescott’s view, it all comes down to mindset and focus. He believes that distractions are only distractions if you allow them to be, whether it’s fans on a tour or a packed stadium. As he put it, “It’s easy to focus on what you want to focus on, if that’s your mindset.”
Despite differing opinions on the impact of fan tours, the Cowboys continue to draw attention and interest wherever they go. Whether it’s on the field or off, America’s Team remains a focal point in the world of football.
