If you’ve ever heard the words “America’s Team” during an NFL broadcast, then there’s no question about which team it was referring to.
The Dallas Cowboys earned that nickname in the ’70s in part by making frequent appearances on nationally televised games.
Netflix’s new documentary, America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, isn’t a completely comprehensive look back at the team’s history. But it does chronicle the Cowboys’ most recent Super Bowl runs while also demonstrating why the team remains popular decades later.
Now, it’s time for Watch With Us to share three reasons why you should watch America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.
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It’s a Time Capsule For the Cowboys’ Most Successful Era
To truly appreciate this documentary series, it helps if you’re a big football fan. Or even more specifically, a Cowboys fan. The ’90s Cowboys were the peak of the franchise, and even viewers who aren’t fans of the team should appreciate the archival footage. This is the team that won back-to-back championships in the ’90s before sacking its coach, and then going on to win a third championship a few years later.
These were the glory days of the Cowboys, even more so than the team’s run in the ’70s. And it’s telling that the Cowboys of the last three decades haven’t been anywhere near this good.
This Colorful Collection of Personalities Is Fun to Watch
When you think of the Cowboys, the first names that come to mind are almost all from this era. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders are all NFL Hall of Fame members. Out of that group, Irvin clearly gives the best interviews and the most quotable lines. However, Aikman has also gone on to become one of the most respected NFL commentators.
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No Cowboys retrospective would be complete without Jimmy Johnson, the coach who helped turn the team around and led them to two Super Bowls. Johnson is far from shy around cameras, and he’s the rock star of the front office who outshines the Cowboys’ famous owner. That may be one of the reasons why Johnson had to go.
Jerry Jones Is the Center of Attention
For better or worse, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is at the heart of this series. He’s the most frequent interview subject, and the story is largely shared from his perspective. That means there are many moments where America’s Team comes across as self-aggrandizing, and Jones appears to take more than his share of credit for the team’s success.
Jones is also the general manager for the Cowboys, and it’s a rarity for an owner to be so intimately involved with the day-to-day operations of the team. There’s no question that Jones’ eye for talent helped create the Cowboys’ dynasty of the ’90s. But if he gets credit for the success, then he also has to take the blame for the three decades of mediocrity that have followed.
America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys is streaming on Netflix.
