Synopsis
Breakthrough 'Boys: The Story of the 1971 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys by Jaime Aron is a vivid and detailed account of the pivotal 1971 season that transformed the Dallas Cowboys from perennial underachievers to the iconic “America’s Team.” The book chronicles the Cowboys’ journey from their heartbreaking 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V, a game marred by turnovers and dubbed the “Blunder Bowl,” to their triumphant 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI on January 16, 1972. Aron, a seasoned journalist who covered the Cowboys for the Associated Press, draws on first-person interviews with key figures like Roger Staubach, D.D. Lewis, Bob Lilly, Lee Roy Jordan, and Duane Thomas, as well as print sources, to paint a comprehensive picture of a season defined by resilience, controversy, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of a Dallas still grappling with its identity eight years after the JFK assassination and seven years before the cultural phenomenon of Dallas and J.R. Ewing, the 1971 Cowboys gave the city a new sense of pride and reshaped the NFL’s landscape.
The narrative begins with the Cowboys’ reputation as “Next Year’s Champions,” a sarcastic label earned through their inability to win big games despite consistent contention in the late 1960s. After a winless inaugural season in 1960 and six years without a winning record, the Cowboys, under the meticulous leadership of coach Tom Landry, had become regular-season dynamos but faltered in the playoffs. The 1971 season was fraught with challenges from the outset, including a quarterback controversy that saw Landry vacillating between incumbent Craig Morton and the dynamic Roger Staubach, even experimenting with alternating them play-by-play in one game. A sluggish 4-3 start, exacerbated by a loss to the lowly New Orleans Saints, raised doubts about the team’s potential. Off-field turmoil further complicated matters, with star running back Duane Thomas embroiled in a public contract dispute that led to his silence with coaches, teammates, and the media. Injuries also plagued the team, notably when offensive lineman Ralph Neely shattered his leg in a motorcycle accident, forcing a replacement from outside the football world.
Aron’s week-by-week recounting of the season highlights the turning point when Landry committed to Staubach as the starting quarterback, a decision that sparked a remarkable turnaround. The Cowboys won their final seven regular-season games and dominated the playoffs, allowing just nine points across three postseason victories. The “Doomsday Defense,” led by stalwarts like Bob Lilly, Lee Roy Jordan, and Chuck Howley, along with veteran additions like Herb Adderley and Mike Ditka, proved formidable, while Staubach’s emergence as a daring and reliable leader energized the offense. The move to the state-of-the-art Texas Stadium midseason, leaving behind the aging Cotton Bowl, symbolized the team’s ascent. Aron delves into the human elements behind the success, capturing the camaraderie and conflicts among players, Landry’s stoic yet innovative leadership, and the personal triumphs of veterans like Lilly, who had endured years of near-misses and hurled his helmet in frustration after Super Bowl V.
Beyond the gridiron, Breakthrough 'Boys explores the broader cultural and emotional significance of the 1971 season. The Cowboys’ victory not only exorcised their reputation for choking in big moments but also laid the foundation for their 1970s dominance, which included five Super Bowl appearances and two championships. The book weaves in behind-the-scenes stories, such as Staubach’s journey from Navy hero to NFL star and Thomas’s enigmatic behavior, which added intrigue to the team’s narrative. Aron’s access to players and coaches provides colorful anecdotes, from the locker room to the sidelines, making the season feel immediate and alive. Praised by figures like Staubach, Lilly, and broadcaster Brad Sham for its vivid storytelling, the book also addresses the Cowboys’ role in elevating the NFL’s popularity, with their games becoming national television staples and their cheerleaders emerging as cultural icons. While some details, like the minutiae of every game, might overwhelm non-fans, Aron’s account is lauded for its depth and appeal to those who cherish the NFL’s golden age. Ultimately, Breakthrough 'Boys is a compelling tale of perseverance, teamwork, and transformation, chronicling the season that turned the Dallas Cowboys into a dynasty and a cultural phenomenon.