Cowboys Logo: Did the Cowboys Change their Logo?

Cowboys Logo
Photo Credit: Customeazy

The Dallas Cowboys have had a simple but well-known logo for the past 61 years.

It’s a five-point lone star that hasn’t changed much. To balance its personality, the designer added a white outline in 1964. The navy blue star has since become one of the most recognizable marks in the sports industry. It’s unique, powerful, and memorable.

But let’s find out how this came to be…

What Exactly Is the Dallas Cowboys?

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional football team based in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington that has been a member of the NFC East since 1970. It was founded in early 1960 and immediately joined the National Football League. The Dallas Cowboys is currently the only NFL team to have won 20 consecutive games. It is also the world’s most expensive sports team. It was estimated to be $ 4 billion in 2015.

Overview of the Brand

The Dallas Cowboys is an American football franchise based in Arlington, Texas. In 1960, the team joined the National Football League and competed in the National Football Conference East Division. It was founded by a group of investors who shared stock ownership: John Murchison (45%), Clint Murchison, Jr. (45%), William Hawn (5%), Bedford Wynne, and Toddie Lee (5%) as significant shareholders, and William Hawn (5%), Bedford Wynne, and Toddie Lee (5%) as minor shareholders.

There were no NFL teams in communities south of Washington, D.C. prior to the establishment of the Dallas Cowboys franchise. Lamar Hunt, an American businessman known for his efforts to promote sports in the country, attempted to bring a National Football League team to Dallas but was turned down. In 1959, he established the American Football League and founded the Dallas, Texas football team. Because of the presence of the AFL club in Dallas, NFL officials quickly approved Clint Murchison’s bid for a franchise in Dallas. George Preston Marshall, who owned the Washington Redskins, was against this move because he wanted the Redskins to stay the NFL’s southernmost team.

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Clint Murchison needed permission from all team owners before he could join the league. Marshall’s opposition compelled Murchison to devise a sinister plan to persuade his rival to change his mind and agree to Dallas’s being awarded an NFL franchise. Around the same time, Marshall clashed with Barnee Breeskin, the Redskins bandleader and owner of the rights to the team’s official fight song, “Hail to the Redskins.” Knowing about Clint Murchison’s problems, Barnee Breeskin secretly sold him the rights to the Washington fight song, preventing Marshall from playing it during games. Marshall was threatened by the new team, so they agreed to give back the rights to the song if Marshall voted for the Dallas-based team. That is how the Dallas Cowboys came to be.

The Dallas Cowboys’ official birthday is January 28, 1960. The team was first called the Dallas Steers, but the team’s general manager, Texas Schramm, didn’t like the name because steer means castrated male cattle. The team used to be called the Dallas Rangers, but Texas Schramm changed the name to the Dallas Cowboys just before the first season to avoid confusion with the baseball team of the same name. Due to a drop in oil prices, Murchison was forced to sell the team to an investment group led by Bum Bright in 1984. During the financial crisis of 1989, the franchise was given to an insurance company called FSLIC. Later, Jerry Jones bought it for $140 million.

The Dallas Cowboys team once updated its first logo, which was designed in 1960. However, the transformation did not result in significant changes because the artists took a conservative approach and kept the original drawing, adding only two contours. This occurred in 1964, after which the club’s owners considered the redesign completed and did not return to the issue of modernizing the style. The club has only used two logos since its inception. Both symbols have a blue five-pointed star, which is a nod to Texas’s past as “the Lone Star State” and a symbol of both Texas’s fight for independence from Mexico and the country as a whole.

1960 – 1963

The Dallas Cowboys wore helmets with a five-pointed star for three years. It looked like the state flag’s white five-pointed star, which stood for all of Texas and unity as one for God, State, and Country. The only difference was the color. The dark blue star for the Dallas Cowboys was meant to stand out from the other colors.

1964 – Today

In 1964, Outfitting Manager Jack Eskridge ensured that the logo had a white outline with a dark blue outline. And all because, not long before, the players started wearing blue helmets, and the team’s leadership needed to highlight their graphic sign, which had merged with the plain background. The Dallas Cowboys’ unique symbol is no longer just a star, but a star with an unusual double frame. The figure’s scale and general proportions have not been altered. The Dallas Cowboys logo is becoming more iconic and recognizable.

The Emblem’s Font and Colors

The developers chose the main motive for the logo with great care. The blue five-pointed star depicted by the artists reflects Texas’s historical heritage-the so-called Lone Star State. It is most likely a copy of the Texas flag, which represents the unity of the United States, the state, and God. As it is now, the star stands for the whole state of Texas and is a symbol for the whole country.

There are no other graphics or inscriptions on the Dallas Cowboys’ logo beside the main element. The five-pointed star from the state flag was chosen as the focal point by the designers. However, if it was white in the original, it was dark blue here to play with contrast. White was not used at all until 1964. It was added as an additional one after the redesign as a wide line drawn along the inner contour.

Symbol Alternatives

Along with the star logo, the team also had a symbol of a polo player. The blue and white 1960 version featured a cowboy riding a horse while carrying a football. The 1966 symbol used a more colorful palette that included light blue, black, red, and white. Except for a few details and the direction, the player and his horse did not change much (now they were facing to the right).

Anniversary Symbols

Dallas Cowboys logos commemorating their 25th and 40th anniversaries

For the team’s anniversary, designers often make special versions of the logo that look more complicated than the regular ones. For example, the Dallas Cowboys’ logo, designed to commemorate the team’s 25th anniversary, featured three stars and new visual effects. Instead of just “Cowboys,” there was also the club’s full name and the words “Silver Season.”

Another logo was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary. A ribbon was tied around the star. Several inscriptions were made in various typefaces.

Elements of Cowboys Logo Design

Design elements are essential components in the creation of any branding asset. However, if you don’t choose carefully, you risk damaging your brand’s identity. Luckily, the artist who made the Dallas Cowboys’ trademark chose the best graphics for the team. Now, let’s look at the colors and icons that the designer used to create this well-known yet simple logo.

Cowboys Symbols And Logo Shape

A Texas Star:

The only distinguishable shape in the Dallas Cowboys’ logo is a star. The star, as a geometric icon, has evolved into a sacred symbol revered worldwide. The majority of people believe it emits positive energy. These are direction, protection, and purity. A star can also represent light, peace, victory, glory, and good fortune.

Color: Blue

The Dallas Cowboys’ custom color is blue. You’ll recognize the color as navy blue. Blue represents trust, wisdom, and freedom. It can also elicit feelings of stability, confidence, and serenity. According to psychologists, blue is associated with intuition, heaven, and inspiration.

Color: White

White is the next official club color. It denotes the star’s outline. In most cases, it elicits positive feelings. According to experts, white is associated with light, goodness, and purity. This neutral color also represents faith, protection, humility, and simplicity.

Why does the Cowboys Logo Function?

The Logo Is Straightforward:

Because it is simple, the Dallas Cowboys’ logo is influential and successful. Minimal graphic elements are used in modest logos. This makes them instantly recognizable and memorable. It’s no secret that the Cowboys’ logo consists of just one icon in two colors.

The Logo Is One-Of-A-Kind:

Once again, the Dallas Cowboys logo is useful because it is exceptional. Similar visual identities are hard to come by in the football industry. This distinguishes it from rival clubs, making it easy for fans to identify. The brand avoids confusion by maintaining this level of quality.

The Logo Is Recallable:

Great logos are memorable in any industry. Most of these powerful logos have fewer design elements, which allows them to stand out. Fortunately, the Dallas Cowboys logo is also in the hall of fame. Its cleanliness makes it simple for fans to connect with and remember the brand’s personality.

The Logo Is Multipurpose:

The advertising platform of today is vast and ever-expanding. This provides a variety of mediums for brand promotion. Surprisingly, the Cowboys’ owners are aware of the advantages of using these channels. As a result, they have a logo that can be scaled across multiple platforms.

The Logo Is Eternal:

There are no fads or trendy graphic elements in the Dallas Cowboys logo. Instead, the club is represented by a single star. The designer focused on the brand’s core ideas and values when creating the emblem. That is why the brand has remained dominant for nearly six decades.

The Cowboys’ logo, the navy blue star, was designed by Jack Eskridge. Jack used to be a professional basketball player. He played for the Chicago Stags as well as the Indianapolis Jets. Tom Landry hired him as the club’s equipment manager in 1959. He had been a member of the club for 13 years.

Is the Cowboys’ Logo Trademarked?

The Dallas Cowboys have registered several trademarks, including their famous blue and white star logo. On May 30, 2006, the Cowboys’ visual ambassador was registered with Attorney Bonnie Jarrett. The logo is owned by Dallas Cowboys Football Club, LTD.

What Is the Meaning of Cowboys?

Dallas Steers was the club’s original name. It was later renamed the Dallas Rangers. The Cowboys’ name was adopted by the franchise’s owners in 1960. This change was made to distinguish the team from the American Association Dallas Rangers.

How Does the Cowboys Logo Look?

The Dallas Cowboys’ logo is shaped like a star. It’s a five-pointed star that sparkles in navy blue and white. The iconic symbol is a nod to Texas’ nickname, The Lone Star State.

Why are the Dallas Cowboys always dressed in white?

The Dallas Cowboys’ official colors are blue and white (or silver). However, Tex Schramm, the club’s president at the time, decided that white would be the official uniform for home matches in 1960. The goal was to set the Dallas Cowboys apart from visiting teams.

In 1968, the team lost in the playoffs to the Browns and in Super Bowl V to the Colts. Unfortunately, both of these historic defeats occurred while wearing the blue jersey. Because fans consider the blue uniform to be a curse, they preferred the white uniform over the blue.

However, as the iconic blue has yielded results, this feeling has shifted.

What Colors Does the Dallas Cowboys Logo Have?

The Dallas Cowboys play in two different colors. They are blue and white in color. The majority of people associate blue with either navy or royal. Similarly, some people mistake the color white for silver.

How Cowboys Got Started?

The Cowboys made their National Football League debut in 1960. Initially, their home games were held at Cotton Bowl Stadium. The stadium was then shared with the Dallas Texans for three seasons. The Dallas Texans are now known as the Kansas City Chiefs.

Clint Murchison Jr. bought the Dallas Cowboys, even though Washington Redskins owner George Preston Marshall was highly against it. Clint hired Tex Schramm as general manager and Tom Landry as head coach as the majority owner.

Gil Brandt was also named player personnel director. The team struggled in its first five seasons, winning an average of five games per season. This was due to a scarcity of quality players. However, in 1966, the team discovered the magic formula that catapulted it to the top of the league.

That season marked the start of the club’s twenty-win streak in the NFL. In 1966 and 1967, the Cowboys won their first two divisional titles. In each of those years, they lost the NFL Championship to the Green Bay Packers.

The Cowboys relocated to Texas Stadium in 1971. They defeated New England 44-21 in their first home game. However, they were defeated by the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears. The Cowboys won five NFC championships and two Super Bowls when Roger Staubach was at his best.

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During these historic seasons, the club’s fan base grew, eventually earning the title “America’s Team.” Clint sold the club to H.R. in 1984. Bright, the owner of an oil company. However, after five years, he sold the franchise to another entrepreneur, Jerry Jones.

To the chagrin of fans, Jerry fired Tom Landry and replaced him as head coach with Jimmy Johnson. The Cowboys finished the season 1-15, their worst record since the franchise’s inception. Jimmy drafted some new players in order to get the team back on track.

The Cowboys finished 7-9 with this team. Jimmy was named coach of the year, while Smith was named offensive Rookie of the Year. In 1992 and 1993, the Dallas Cowboys won their third and fourth Super Bowls.

They came close to winning their fifth championship in 1994, but luck was not on their side. Finally, the Cowboys won their fifth Super Bowl in 1995, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys played their final season in Texas Stadium in 2008.

The following year, to commemorate their fiftieth season, they relocated to AT&T Stadium. The new stadium cost more than a billion dollars. Today, under Mike McCarthy’s leadership, they are working hard to recreate their glory days. And hopefully, they will arrive soon!

What Is the Size of the Dallas Cowboys?

The Dallas Cowboys are an American football team that competes in the National Football League. The club’s headquarters are in Frisco, Texas, and their home games are held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960.

The Dallas Cowboys are now one of the most decorated sports teams in the world. They have produced some legends in the history of the game. Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, and Roger Staubach come to mind. We could also mention Tex Schramm, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Mel Renfro, and others.

The Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, ten Conference Championships, and thirty-three playoff games since their debut. They have also won the NFL Capitol and twenty-three Division Championships.

Forbes valued the Cowboys team at $4 billion in 2015, making them the most valuable team in the world. Three years later, the club was named the most valuable NFL franchise for the 12th consecutive year. It has earned several nicknames over its remarkable sixty-one years.

America’s Team, Doomsday Defense, the Boys, and Big D are among them. The franchise generated $950 million in revenue in 2019, the most of any NFL team.

Its current market value is $5.7 billion.

Facts You Never Knew About The Dallas Cowboys

They are the richest team in the NFL.

That is correct! The Cowboys are the richest team in the NFL, with an estimated value of approximately $6 billion (yes, BILLION). The team has gone 20 years without winning a Super Bowl, and they are still the wealthiest team in the league, so who knows what would happen if they started winning again.

They were the NFL’s first expansion team.

Despite the fact that other teams were brought in from other leagues, the Cowboys were the first true-born expansion team in 1960. Dallas welcomed the team with open arms, and the city quickly accepted them. The team is now one of the richest and most well-known in the NFL.

They have participated in 31 different seasons.

The Cowboys played in 31 different seasons between 1966 and 2014. They’ve won the Super Bowl five times in 31 years!

They had one of the longest winning streaks in NFL history.

You couldn’t call yourself a true fan if you didn’t know Tony Dorsett had one of the longest runs in NFL history with a 99-yard run in 1982. This broke records at the time, but it was later tied in 2018 by Derrick Henry, running back for the Tennessee Titans.

They do not perform in Dallas.

The Dallas Cowboys may have their name in Dallas, but that is not where they play when they visit Texas. They are currently based in Arlington, Texas, where they play their home games.

In Conclusion

The Cowboys’ logo is one of the most well-known symbols in the world. Its shape and color selection are hallmarks of a reliable, clean, and influential label. Again, its cleanliness facilitates processing and memorability. As a result, its legions of fans always support it.

The Dallas Cowboys have a long and illustrious history. They joined the National Football League despite George Marshall’s strong opposition. Surprisingly, it took the song “Hail to the Redskins” to end the feud between George Marshall and Clint Murchison Jr.

Nonetheless, the football rivalry continues to this day. The Cowboys’ illustrious journey began in 1960. They began playing their home games at the Cotton Bowl before moving to Texas Stadium in 1971. The Cowboys currently play their home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

This stadium, which cost more than $1 billion, drew criticism from its patrons. They criticized its outlook and excessive energy consumption. The Dallas Cowboys, like other successful teams, have had their share of highs and lows. These tribulations and triumphs have all contributed to their illustrious history.

The club has rewritten the history of the National Football League through hard work. They’ve won five Super Bowls, ten Conference Championships, 33 playoff appearances, and 23 Division Championships. That is truly impressive!

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References

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