Getty ImagesThe Cowboys came back in the fourth quarter to beat the Bengals on the road on Sunday, a feat that would be worthy of a pat on the back even if they did it without the death of teammate Jerry Brown in a car accident early Saturday morning that left defensive lineman Josh Brent in jail on charges of intoxication manslaughter.
After the win, the Cowboys acknowledged that football was far from the only thing on their minds. Running back DeMarco Murray said that it didn’t feel like a win and fullback Lawrence Vickers said he was emotionally drained after finding himself crying before, during and after they beat the Bengals. Coach Jason Garrett talked about waht he said to the team on Saturday night before the game.
“I talked about how football is very different than life,” Garrett said, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. “I made it clear that this is a life situation, and we lost a 25-year-old young man who had his whole life in front of him. He was a teammate and a friend. All we asked our team last night was to understand what happened and to somehow channel their emotions into honoring Jerry today. It was a hard thing to do. Football is a game of emotion, and somehow we had to process it all and do our job today. … The win was nice. But to play and do their job was just as nice.”
Garrett called Brown’s mother after the game and promised her the game ball and there will be a memorial service on Tuesday that is sure to be another emotional experience for the Cowboys. It’s a different situation than the one the Chiefs faced the week before, but the Cowboys’ ability to do their jobs under trying circumstances was just as admirable.
They’ll be asked to do it again next weekend and, as quarterback Tony Romo said in Rapoport’s piece, there’s no playbook for handling these kinds of things.
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I’d think “hard” is an understatement. Most people take several days off after a loss, family or friend, you get “leave” or “bereavement” – The NFL doesn’t allow that same luxury… I’m NOWHERE NEAR a Garrett fan, but it’s a sign of leadership to gather your men & go do a job in spite of…
P.S. thanks to the Bengals WR’s for the drops!
What a way to honor a life taken too soon. So young, so talented and loved by those who had the chance to know him. Life well lived even if it was for such a short time. Memories and spirit will live on. Keep your heads up Boy’s, you got a season to finish.
It seems to me that Jason has risen to the occasion during this difficult time for his team.
Condolences from redskins nation
As a Bengal fan I was furious watching that game. Believe me all those drops, both offense and defense, are not typical of that team. It was like the win was destiny.
Heck, it was hard for me to function for a few days after one of my dog’s passed away, I can’t even imagine trying to play a football game the very next day after a human, friend and teammate has passed away. I give everyone involved major props and blessings.
Good, the dude’s family gets the game ball.
men in the NFL dont have normal jobs. they play a game and playing a game is a way pf escaping reality. thats why we watch sports. im sure they were more than happy to play and represent a teammate and friend.
Good job.