Theismann Helps Keep Cowboy Rivalry Alive

Is there any doubt that the Cowboys truly hate Joe Theismann?

The hatred certainly was evident last December when he fueled a bench-clearing brawl at the end of the Dallas-Washington game. Referee Tom Dooley had to call the game off with 24 seconds to play.

It certainly was evident on a wild Monday night at RFK Stadium in 1978 when he danced in the end zone, waving the ball above his head, in the final seconds of the game. Theismann deliberately had given Dallas a safety to cut Washington’s lead to 9-5. But his theatrics almost led to a brawl.

“He’s not the most popular man on my list,” White said Wednesday. “I guess you wouldn’t call him a humble individual.”

As a starting quarterback, Theismann has a 6-9 record against Dallas. In his last five starts against the Cowboys, though, he has won four games, including the 1982 NFC championship game.

What sticks in the mind of every Cowboys player was the 30-28 defeat at Texas Stadium last December. More specifically, Cowboys players remember the final minute of the game as Theismann was trying to run down the clock.

Instead of retreating a few steps from center and surrendering, Theismann would drop to one knee and then proceed to run around in the backfield. The third time it happened, cornerback Ron Fellows leveled him. Fellows, in turn, was grabbed by Redskins guard Mark May, who was grabbed by Randy White. Almost 100 players spilled onto the field, and the officials decided to call the game.

Before the players departed, White was overheard telling May to “meet me in the parking lot after the game.”

Running off the field, Theismann yelled, “Stick your heart up your bleep, Cowboys!”

Needless to say, the Cowboys haven’t forgotten what happened on perhaps the most tempestuous afternoon in Dallas-Washington history. And there certainly have been some tempestuous times in the history of this rivalry.

“They had won the game, and Theismann just thought he would prick us one more time,” Dutton said. “The last time he did it, we wanted to make sure he was down. We didn’t want him running all over the field, making fun of us. There was no need for the penalty. The official knew he didn’t need to throw the flag.”

Since the game was played last December, the following things have happened:

--A telegram, postmarked Herndon, Va., was sent to the Times Herald. It read: “Your bologna has a first name it’s R-A-N-D-Y, but his team can’t cut the mustard when it’s “do or die.” (signed) “Oscar Mayer.”

The Redskins executive offices and practice field are in Herndon. But Theismann denied sending the telegram.

--Dallas safety Bill Bates received a letter from NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle warning Bates about statements on the Dec. 9 incident. Bates had told a reporter that he tried to break Theismann’s nose late in the game.

--The NFL changed its rule on what occurs when a quarterback deliberately gives himself up. Instead of having to be touched by a defensive player, the quarterback ends the play by dropping to one knee, or by sliding along the ground.

The Cowboys say their bitter feelings have cooled somewhat since the run-in with Washington. But you wouldn’t know it from talking to them.

“I think that Theismann adds a lot of fuel to the fire with the way he talks,” Dutton said. “He is very unlikable on the field and in the newspaper. He needs some humility. A lot of people, especially his teammates, will tell you that.”

Ed Jones has known Theismann for more than 10 years, and they recently did a TV commercial together. Although he appreciates Theismann’s football ability, Jones dislikes what he hears from the Washington quarterback.

“I guess he feels that he has to pop off from time to time,” Jones said. “It’s frustrating to hear him say some of the things that he says. But I also understand that he doesn’t always get along with his teammates. I hear he had a pretty big argument one day in practice with Dexter Manley.”

One of Jones’ toughest hits of his pro career was dealt to Theismann in last December’s game. Rushing from the outside, Jones lunged for Theismann’s head, but the quarterback ducked at the last second.

“I might get another shot at him,” Jones said. “But I took a pretty good shot at him, and he walked away from it. I guess that shows that he’s pretty strong.”

Jones, however, said he will try to forget what happened last season.

“I will just hope that it never happens again,” he said.

Safety Michael Downs grew up in Dallas and knew about the rivalry long before he became a member of the Cowboys in 1981. He has a deep background in the Dallas-Washington history and knows about the Dallas-Theismann hate affair.

“I guess the Redskin players think that it’s good that Joe’s cocky,” Downs said. “But it sure makes it easy for us to get up for the game. We just walk onto the field and get after it. I guess we’re getting back to the George Allen years when both teams really hated each other.”