They were rowdy, they were arrogant, they were flashy, they were America’s Team. Men wanted to be them and women wanted to sleep with them. They were the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990’s and Boys Will Be Boys is an account of that team’s creation, their dynasty and downfall by New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman.
The book begins with the day many Dallas Cowboys realized their dynasty was over, it was day Michael Irvin – aka The Playmaker- stabbed defensive lineman Everett McIver in the neck for cutting him in line for a hair cut. The story contains many eye witness accounts, and names other incidents The Playmaker had with breaking rules and laws (He was once found in a hotel room with two strippers, 10.3 grams of cocaine, over an ounce of pot, drug paraphernalia and sex toys to boot.) but those who played with the Playmaker all said that without a doubt Irvin was about the team and always showed up to practice and to play harder than anyone on game day.
Boys Will Be Boys then goes on to show former oil tycoon Jerry Jones’ rise to ownership of America’s Team is partly due to the fact he was the only man prior owner Bum Bryant felt would fire historic coach Tom Landry. Once Jerry Jones rises to ownership he seeks out Jimmie Johnson as his head coach, whom at the time coached collegiate powerhouse Miami, then their love when they were winning, hate when one felt the other was undermining authority or overstepping bounds. There are many accounts from former players that tell the tale of both men in positive and negative lights. Jeff Pearlman also details the fallout of Jerry and Jimmie saga with the announcement of Jimmie Johnsons firing whilst Jerry was drunk at a bar talking to a reporter.
Pearlman tells the story as if he is sitting down in your living room with the occasional smartass comment and paying attention to detail like only the best story tellers; be it Charles Haley’s obsession with walking around naked, the White House (The Cowboys secret get away that could put some ancient brothels to shame.) even some play by play from vital games each season not to mention detailed accounts of the trips to the Super Bowls and all of the off field “activities” that went on because they were THE Dallas Cowboys. Pearlman also goes as far to show Jerry Jones for the nutcase that he is, as well as practically calling out reporter Skip Bayless for devoting 10 pages to questioning star quarterback Troy Aikman’s sexual preference in Bayless’ tell all book Hell-Bent.
Jeff Pearlman has created a masterpiece that is a must read for all sports fans not just Cowboy fans. Boys Will Be Boys will toss you a beer and tell you to sit down a listen to a tale of the rise and fall of one of the greatest dynasties the sports world has seen, The Dallas Cowboys.
1 comment:
this book sounds really good because i am really into all kinds of sports. i might have to read this one
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