And Argos Waits

There are no certainties in war: none, not one. An army can have bulletproof plans, a masterful strategy with a clear understanding of the enemy and their weaknesses and still come up short. Superior weaponry doesn’t guarantee victory either. Your artillery could be light years ahead of your foes: from ground to air, above and below water and still not be enough to secure the triumph. No, there are no certainties in war, and men like Odysseus knew this. Kind of.

When Odysseus left his beloved Ithaca, he understood a long military campaign awaited him: he just didn’t know how long. An oracle predicted a 20-year-absence, but even that wasn’t a guarantee. All bets were off because one false move, one decision that awakened the god’s ire could set off a chain of events that extended the mission or result in death. Looking at his travails, Odysseus embodied the fact that in war there are no certainties — oh, wait, there’s one.

Uncertainty.

In January of 1996 the Dallas Cowboys were basking in the glow of their third world championship in four years. The resounding belief was that more were in the offing and with good reason. They were a veteran team but still young and talented enough to contend, manned by future hall of famers at several key positions. As the 1996 football campaign began, everything appeared to be aligned, but nothing could’ve been further from the truth. Looking at the Cowboys’ littered these past three decades, their journey, which once appeared destined for titles, supports the premise that there are no certainties in football — oh wait, there’s one.

Uncertainty.

One Eye is Better Than None

The 1996 season began and on the surface the Cowboys appeared capable of defending and contending … but in reality, the silver and blue dynasty was no more. The franchise quarterback was beginning to show signs of physical wear and tear. The newly porous offensive line spelled doom for the once-feared Dallas rushing attack as holes that were assumed were now closed and the battering ram fullback was no longer there to pick up pieces the line occasionally missed.

But just like Odysseus, pride intervened. Instead of recognizing the Polyphemus standing before them, Dallas continued believing they were the Dallas of old. Instead of retreating and quietly regrouping, the Cowboys shouted at their inadequacies using a defiant tone. But the tone, the words weren’t enough to hide the inadequacies. Even more painful was that Dallas believed what they spoke even though the falsity of it was in plain view. So, instead of embarking on a rebuilding process, they stayed the course, further delaying their return home.

Comfort: A Most Dangerous Force

Comfort is a most addictive, alluring partner, enchanting to the point of danger. It arrives softly, so softly that time seemingly stands still. There’s a silky seductiveness to comfort that’s intoxicating and disarming, rendering even the strong, helpless. When Odysseus’s men landed on the island of Aeaea and happened upon Circe, who was herself the very essence of comfort, they lost track of themselves and more importantly, they lost track of time. Their dalliance with Circe which saw the men become dangerously comfortable lasted a year, further delaying their much-anticipated arrival home.

There’s a certain cache that comes with being a Dallas Cowboy. Doors that close for others, open for Cowboys. Deals that others dream of doing get done when you’re wearing that star on the side of your helmet as the world orbits around the Sun that is that dangerous force called comfort. But the game still has to be played and too many times during this odyssey, Dallas chose the comfort of privilege, the comfort of the media spotlight … the island of Aeaea over the hard places that build champions, all decisions that further delayed their return home.

Between Scylla and Charybdis

Upon setting sail from Aeaea, Odysseus faced another grave decision: Scylla or Charybdis. Scylla stood 12 feet tall and had six heads, each with razor sharp teeth. She didn’t just eat men: she devoured them and her appetite was insatiable. Charybdis was a sea-dwelling monster who took the form of a giant whirlpool. Each day she swallowed a massive amount of water and promptly spat it out, creating the vortex that crushed any ship that came within reach. When faced with the decision of which evil he’d rather endure, Scylla was easily the right choice. Odysseus understood that the most he’d lose with Scylla was six men while Charybdis meant his entire crew would perish. With this in mind, it begs the obvious question …

Why did Dallas continue choosing Charybdis?

From coaches who weren’t fit for the job to players who could no longer do their jobs, Dallas continued to sacrifice the team when the safest decision was to part ways with an individual or small group. Year in and year out, the Cowboys ignored Scylla and chose Charybdis and watched a team and a season crash, making their path home all the more perilous.

Ithaca … Again

Ithaca was more than home for Odysseus—Ithaca defined him. It was woven into his fabric, and it was there that he gained a true understanding of his station in life and felt complete. His family was there including the son he had never met. Most importantly, Ithaca was a place where he could put his past behind him and once again become whole.

Home for the Dallas Cowboys isn’t a state-of-the-art stadium nestled in a bustling suburb, a playoff seedling, home field advantage or a kickoff time. To the Dallas Cowboys, the organization that set the pace for all others to follow for the balance of the 90’s, home is hope, it’s championship contention— a place they once occupied with a level of ease and command that no one dared question their right.

Will this be the year they deftly navigate through the obstacles that have for so long kept them away or will the Sirens sing songs that distract, lure, and throw them off course? The season is upon us and for the first time in so many times, the Cowboys have the unmistakable look of a true contender. They look primed and ready to return home, but many games, many challenges remain. Rest assured the football gods will be watching …

And Argos waits.