Why Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was named Texas Monthly 2024 Bum Steer of the Year
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones hasn’t had a Super Bowl victory in 28 years but he’s earned a new piece of hardware. Jones was named Texas Monthly’s “Bum Steer of the Year.”
It’s his second time being honored with the award. He shared the award in 2010 with the Texas Longhorns.
Every year, the magazine grants its “highest dishonor” to politicians, businesspeople, and institutions in Texas. Jones went up against stiff competition. Attorney General Ken Paxton was named runner-up for this year’s award.
Here’s what to know about the Bum Steer award and why Jones earned it.
What is the Texas Monthly Bum Steer of the Year Award?
Texas Monthly was founded in 1974, and they began dishing out the award in 1975. According to Texas Monthly Deputy Editor Ross McCammon, the Bum Steer award is a comedic way to hold powerful people in Texas accountable.
“So from the very beginning, we’ve been cataloging the worst of our state: the worst ideas, anything that embarrasses us to the rest of the country, and also just holding power to account – but hopefully in a funny way,” he said.
Why was Jerry Jones named 2024 Bum Steer of the Year?
The Dallas Cowboys have played mediocre football this season. Their current record is 6-8 and are not likely to make the playoffs.
According to Texas Monthly, there were a few reasons why Jones was given the dishonor.
The publication highlighted several of the Cowboys owner’s 2024 lowlights, including:
- The team’s January playoff collapse against the Green Bay Packers.
- His October spat with radio hosts from 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM).
- His November comments on the sun glare at AT&T Stadium.
In a November loss to division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones answered a question from a reporter about if there was too much sunlight coming through AT&T Stadium that interrupted the team’s performance.
When asked about the possibility of closing the curtains to minimize the sun’s impact, he appeared displeased with the question.
“By the way, we know where the sun is going to be when we decide to flip the coin or not. We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium,” he said. “”Well let’s tear the damn stadium down and build another one? Are you kidding me?”
Who were some previous Bum Steer awardees?
Previous winners of the Texas Monthly Bum Steer of the Year award include:
- Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
- The Houston Astros
- Lance Armstrong
- Gov. Rick Perry
- The Texas Longhorns
- Tom Delay
- Roger Clemens
- Dick Cheney
- Harriet Miers
- Jessica Simpson
