What’s it like to be a Cowboys fan? Plus: Why Russell Wilson is not a Hall of Fame quarterback – The New York Times

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CANTON, OHIO – AUGUST 5: A Dallas Cowboys fan holds up a sign reading "This Is Our Year" after a Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown in the second half during the 2021 NFL preseason Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 5, 2021 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) Emilee Chinn
Corny. It’s the first word that comes to my mind when I think of Russell Wilson, the longtime Seahawks quarterback and 2013 Super Bowl champ. The second word? Basically the same: cringe.
Wilson did himself zero favors. He nicknamed himself “Mr. Unlimited” and gave us “Broncos Country, Let’s Ride.” He did some brutal Subway commercials. High-knees in the aisle of the team plane. He practiced high-fiving non-existent fans during a summer practice.
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It was so bad that Sports Illustrated made a nearly six-minute video ranking every Russell Wilson meme and still missed plenty.
Quirkiness aside, Wilson has been a Hall of Fame-level human. I can’t think of any quarterback who spent more time in public service than the 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and 2022 Bart Starr Award winner.
So while he might be cringe-inducing, the world needs more people like him.
As for his playing career, is he a Pro Football Hall of Famer? Certainly not, in my opinion. My colleague (and Hall of Fame selector) Mike Sando shared his perspective on Wilson’s credentials, which weighs both sides. Most glaring? Wilson’s post-Seattle splits:

Seattle’s Wilson was the equivalent of a Matt Ryan-type quarterback. Post-Seattle, he basically became Justin Fields.
It gets worse. As Mike explains in his story, Wilson seems unlikely to receive a Hall jacket for reasons beyond just his historic collapse, such as:
So while he is a great person with an impressive career, significant contributions to meme culture and a Super Bowl ring, Russell Wilson should only enter into the Hall of Very Good. I’d hope Eli Manning is there to greet him.
Next: Cowboys fans explain their own experience, plus minicamp stories to watch. We’ll start in Dallas.
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A few weeks ago, I asked Cowboys fans to explain how it feels to do something I’ll never experience: cheer for a Jerry Jones-led team.
The poll began with a simple question. Do you want Jerry Jones to sell the team?

I also used the survey as an excuse to hear from Cowboys fans on what it’s like to support this team. They didn’t disappoint (though some got really dark). I’ll start with my favorite:
“Like being forced to watch the three ‘Star Wars’ prequels (and later sequels) annually. Nowhere close to being as good as the first three, and only made to make money for the owner. It sucks.” — Chris G.
As for other great submissions:
“Being a Cowboys fan is like being a Microsoft fan. They both peaked in the ’90s, have made repeated unforced errors since then and don’t seem to have a plan to get better.” —  Brian M.
“You may hate the Cowboys, but there’s no chance you hate our team as much as we do.” — CC
“Its like being a Jets or Browns fan, only even they feel bad for you.” — Jonathan M.
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Nobody expects the Jets or Browns to be good, meaning fans of those teams can hide from attention. Meanwhile, the mistakes of America’s Team are on full display at all times. Remember that since 2000, the Cowboys have the most regular-season wins among teams without any Super Bowls in that span. 
I’ll leave you with this from Meaghan:
“Like riding a roller coaster you’ve been strapped onto for life — fun at first, hits the highs and lows, and then you’ve been on the same loop for so long that eventually, it feels more like a trip to Dante’s Inferno than an amusement park. But you can’t get off. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you still get butterflies.”
That said, the Cowboys defense sure does look better!
I haven’t covered the Seahawks much this offseason. Some readers, likely centered in America’s Northwest corner, have complained about that lack of coverage.
But what I write next isn’t to appease them. It’ll probably do the opposite, actually.
It’s June, folks, and it’s been mostly downhill for the Seahawks since February. As Mike Jones writes in his story on minicamp storylines to follow, Seattle has some big holes to fill, both on and off the field.

Granted, most of those pieces feel like luxury parts. Seattle still has the core of a top Super Bowl contender: head coach, quarterback, star receiver and elite defense.
But that’s missing the point. Luxury talent wins Super Bowls, as illustrated by nearly any recent champion (especially last year’s Seahawks and the 2024 Eagles). Just as crucial is the improvement of division rivals like the 49ers and those Garrett-acquiring Rams.
The most positive thing to say about the Seahawks’ offseason: The champ always gets raided, and this champ didn’t lose too much.
However, so much went right for this team in 2025 that I’m confident Seattle won’t repeat. In fact, I’ll personally pay for and ship to 20 fans (who fill out this form) a Jon Ryan poster if the Seahawks win the upcoming Super Bowl.
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Regardless, before Seattle fans worry too much about 2026, I’d recommend continuing to bathe in the afterglow of last season. Just ask Cowboys fans about how fleeting the glory days can be.
👀 Not very. That’s how close Baker Mayfield is to a long-term deal with the Buccaneers. The team is 27-24 (plus two playoff wins) with him. He’s still only 31.
🚚 Moving out? The Bears are eying a nearby part of Indiana in an ongoing stadium dance. Fans clearly want this saga to just end.
📓 Steelers takeaways. Mike DeFabo has 10 things you should know about Aaron Rodgers, T.J. Watt and others after minicamp.
▶️ Thursday’s most-clicked: How the Myles Garrett blockbuster changed sportsbook Super Bowl odds.
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