There was nothing funny about Jerry Jones’ most recent radio appearance. This was sad.
Jerry Jones just celebrated his 82nd birthday and he opened the door to speculation that “He’s losing it.”
He’s not, but he is 82. He is “a senior.” He’s going to have a few “moments.”
He had one on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys crossed a line that, in retrospect, it’s hard to believe he didn’t step over years ago.
During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan, hosts Shan Shariff and R.J. Choppy pressed Jerry on the state of his team, and specifically an offseason that created their uninspiring 3-3 record.
“This is not your job. Your job isn’t to let me go over all the reasons that I did something and I’m sorry that I did it,” Jones told Shariff and Choppy. “That’s not your job. I’ll get somebody else to ask these questions. I’m not kidding.”
From a radio standpoint, this is gold. From a Cowboys’ standpoint, this was awkward. From a personal standpoint, this was sad.
Jerry being feisty is not bad. Not only is it entertaining, but it least creates the perception that a man with more money than half of Western Europe still gives a damn.
Implying in any way that he wants some version of a state run media where he is asked, “Sir, what makes you so great?” is pathetic. And uncharacteristic.
He is the only owner, or general manager, who makes himself available to talk to the media after games, usually without fail. He will take any question, and 100 percent of the time finish the interview with a smile, handshake or a wink. The man can “take it” like few high profile people can.
With the precedent set by former team GM Tex Schramm, the Cowboys are one of the best teams in pro sports at dealing with the media. With limited exception, they welcome all commentary in a way that most teams would never consider.
Jerry makes himself available to the media for reasons beyond the fact that he just enjoys it.
To Jerry, all of it is content. All of it is marketing. All of it is advertising. All of it moves the needle. All of it increases the value of the most valuable sports franchise in North America. He knows that no matter what he says, most of it will be forgotten in less than 10 minutes as we will devour the next image, headline, or bite that comes across our screen, or timeline.
Anyone who takes the amount of stuff as Jerry is going to eventually snap. It’s human nature. Also, this is his team. This is ultimately all on him. He’s earned it.
Nothing Shan or R.J. did was remotely out of line. The morning show pair have held this interview with Jerry for the better part of the last decade, and Jerry typically provides good fodder. Tuesday’s segment was good fodder, until it wasn’t.
“You really think you’re gonna sit here with a microphone and tell me all of the things that I’ve done wrong without going over the rights?” Jerry said. “Listen, we both know we’re talking to a lot of great fans, a lot of great listeners. And I’m very sorry for what happened out there Sunday. I’m sick about what happened Sunday.”
As his average roster plods through what is shaping up to be a disappointing, and average season, we may not forget this radio appearance. We might if it was 10 years ago.
We’re more apt to remember it because Jerry is 82, and currently our ears are brains are stuffed with observations, and criticisms, of high profile senior citizen-aged leaders doing things that 82-year-old people are apt to do. Forget a few things. Say a few words out of order.
It happened to Jerry.
For the first time, Jerry Jones sounded like an angry old man.
