The Dallas Cowboys have long been one of the most talked-about franchises in professional sports. Their iconic blue star logo is known worldwide, and their fanbase is as passionate as they come. Yet, for all the hype and coverage, their recent on-field performance hasn’t always lived up to the high expectations placed upon “America’s Team.”
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton made it clear that he’s tired of the constant media spotlight on the Cowboys, and he didn’t hold back while expressing his opinion.
The discussion stemmed from a recent episode of Cowboys star Micah Parsons’ podcast, where Parsons and fellow Cowboys standout Trevon Diggs discussed who they believe are the top quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
Notably, Diggs left Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott off his list of top five quarterbacks, and Parsons added a few more names to the mix—none of which were Dak either.
The omission from his own teammates sparked buzz on social media and quickly became the topic of the day.
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The viral clip of Parsons and Diggs’ discussion made its way to ESPN’s popular show “First Take,” where it became a point of debate during Friday’s broadcast. Newton, who recently joined “First Take” as an analyst, couldn’t resist jumping into the fray. He interrupted Stephen A. Smith at one point, eager to share his “real feelings” about the Cowboys-centric debate.
“Why are we talking about the irrelevant Dallas Cowboys?” Newton asked pointedly. “Micah Parsons, yes, he’s doing great with his podcast, and he’s got great content. But here’s the thing—everyone has a podcast now. He’s not the only active player out there putting out content. If we want to talk about player podcasts, Amon-Ra St. Brown has one too. Why aren’t we talking about him?”
Newton went on to express his frustration that every time he appears on “First Take,” the Cowboys seem to dominate the conversation. “This is my fourth time on ‘First Take,’ and each time, we’re always talking about the Cowboys,” he added, clearly exasperated.
Of course, Newton’s comment was met with pushback from his co-hosts. Stephen A. Smith, along with Ryan Clark and moderator Molly Qerim, were quick to point out why the Cowboys continue to be a constant topic of discussion—they attract attention, for better or worse. The Cowboys are a team people either passionately love or love to hate, and their high profile is a major reason they stay in the spotlight.
“People care about the Cowboys, that’s just the reality,” Smith responded. “No matter how they perform, people tune in to hear about them.”
Newton’s blunt take on Dallas resonated with fans on social media. Many who are tired of the Cowboys’ outsized share of the spotlight applauded him, while others, especially the Cowboys’ devoted fans, saw his remarks as an unnecessary jab. But it’s clear that Newton knows how to stir the pot—something that’s almost a prerequisite for “First Take,” a show known for its fiery debates.
Newton, who joined the show only recently, seems intent on making a name for himself in the world of sports commentary.
Calling out the Cowboys, one of the most polarizing teams in sports, is certainly a surefire way to grab attention. It’s also a tactic that could keep Cowboys fans riled up—and keep viewers tuning in.
Newton has also shown that he isn’t afraid to poke his colleagues over their love for certain teams or topics. This willingness to challenge both his co-workers and the audience could help him stand out as a distinctive voice in sports media.
However, if Newton genuinely wants to avoid talking about the Cowboys, he might be in for a tough time. As long as he’s in the world of sports media, it’s inevitable that “America’s Team” will come up, whether for their performance, their controversies, or simply because the audience can’t seem to get enough of them.
Whether you love them or hate them, the Cowboys have a way of staying relevant—and keeping everyone talking.
