…because what’s one without the other, right Jerry?! The Machine has refrained from handing out this award to Jerry in the past. God knows he could have racked up a handful of TT awards; be it his late game sideline pace, despicable draft selections, shameless self promotion or preseason cackling. This crusty old dimwitted bastard deserves all the scorn and ill-will directed his way. The only reason he hasn’t received this award is because we’d rather not feed the flame of his ego. You know damn well that the guy with the biggest stadium, biggest jumbotron, biggest “personality” in sports, has the biggest trophy shelf. And since the Cowboys haven’t won shit in the last decade, Jerrah will take any and every award he can get his oily little hands on. So with great reluctance we present you this award, because we just can’t hold back any longer.
Pay attention kids, this is a story on how not to show brevity, honor, respect and leadership during a difficult situation. On December 8th, at 2 am (a mere 32 hours before kickoff of the Cowboys-Bengals game) after a heavy night of drinking, Josh Brent lost control of his vehicle, allegedly hitting a curb at high-speed causing his car to flip at least once. His passenger, practice squad player and close friend Jerry Brown, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. An eyewitness report claims that Josh Brent sat roadside, watching his flipped vehicle burn while cries of help from his trapped friend went unregistered. Only after repeated and forceful pleas from the eyewitness did Josh pulled his friend from the burning wreckage before it was completely engulfed in flames. It’s a horrific scene and all too frequent tragedy that claimed such a young (25) and promising life.
The Cowboys, undoubtedly playing with heavy hearts and cloudy minds, beat the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9th. In his post game press conference, “Head Coach” Jason Garrett spoke candidly and frank about the difficulties and emotions his team was battling. He shared some of his memories of Jerry – what kind of player and person he was and what he meant to the team. The Machine was rubbed the wrong way when Garrett found a way to slid in that his team “found a way to win”. Coach, when one of your players dies on Saturday, it’s not about winning or losing on Sunday. It’s not about football at all. You could honor Jerry’s life just the same had you not beaten the god damn Cincinnati Bengals. But in light of the situation we give you a free pass on that one.
But we sure as hell aren’t giving you a free pass for the debacle this past weekend. Apparently, Josh Brent didn’t have anything better to do on a Sunday afternoon (well, the clubs weren’t open yet and church is for suckers) so doesn’t dear old Josh decide to show up to the Cowboys game…On. The. Sideline. WHAT?! The only thing more despicable than Brent showing up is the fact that nobody stopped him! Nobody. Did not the guard at the front gate, or the kid stocking the nacho warmer, or an usher, or maybe like a fucking team executive, stop to think that maybe, just maybe it wouldn’t be such a great idea to let big ol’ Brent roam the facilities?!
After receiving the equivalent of a social media kick to the groin, the Cowboys brain trust went into full damage control. Initially they reported that they had no idea that Brent was on the sidelines until pre-game warm-ups, at which point the impending game was too important than the 300 pound (alleged) felon who just killed a fellow teammate less than ten days prior. Of course this claim was a boldface lie, as later reports indicate that dozens of players had talked with Brent and encouraged and supported him to join them at the game. I’m willing to bet some of Jerry Jones monopoly money that he knew Brent was going to be at the game. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Jones himself was the driving force behind the appearance. Think about it. You’re the Owner. You have FULL and unyielding control of everything. Everything! If you want your coach to wear a wig and a clown nose, so be it. Want to see a punt on second down, pick up the phone. Want your son-in-law to clean your glasses for you because you can’t be bothered? Your wish is your command. Having Brent on the sideline was going generate press and show everyone that the Cowboys were a united team!
As public (negative) pressure mounted – the CBS crew absolutely crushed the Cowboys – Jerry and crew hatched what they considered a fool-proof cover. At his Monday presser, Jerry’s favorite puppet explained that the Cowboys were simply following the wishes of the Jerry Brown’s mother, Stacey Jackson, who wanted the team to support Josh and keep him involved as much as possible. Okay. Our sympathies’ are with Ms. Jackson and all, but we aren’t buying this. Not one bit. You mean to tell me that a billion dollar corporation, financed largely by television revenue and the millions of weekly consumers tuning in, is going to let the mother of a deceased employee call the shots and dictate their policy?! Sorry, but we call bullshit on that. And we call bullshit to the fact that Jerry and his cronies are hiding behind the victim’s mother. The whole thing stinks! In fact, the stench must have been unbearable at JerryWorld, because today the Cowboys announced that Josh Brent will no longer be allowed at the facilities. A day late, ‘boys.
RIP ‘Decal 53’…you deserve better.