This past Wednesday we took the boys to Dallas, ostensibly for a couple of days of shopping over Thanksgiving, but really to take Grayson to his first Cowboys game. Jamie got us a room at the DFW Marriott, which is where the Cowboys stay the night before home games, and since we were told that the players might sign autographs that night we went ahead and told him. He was thrilled that there was a game the next day, and especially thrilled that we'd get to watch it on the fancy flat-screen LG TV in the hotel room, but when we told him no, that's not why we came to Dallas - we're going to the stadium - he just about passed out. He kept saying that he couldn't stop smiling, so of course we took a picture of that. (He did say he couldn't figure out why virtually everyone in the hotel lobby was wearing Cowboys jerseys, but I told him we were in Dallas, that's why, and that made sense).
We then went down to see if we could get any autographs. We saw Sam Hurd and Andre Gurode (who no one recognized) but no sigs that night. Next morning, however, was a different thing. Grayson got his football autographed by three players, Cory Proctor #71, Anthony Spencer #93 (his favorite), and Kevin Burnet #57 who was our favorite because he talked to him while he was signing - really nice guy. We also saw several others players, including watching Tony Romo driving out.
We then went to the game by bus and when we got to the stadium, I got my present. Former Cowboys cornerback (1964-1977) Mel Renfro (Hall of Fame 1996) was signing autographs and I got a 1975 football card signed (I collected 1972-1975) plus a Cowboys light switch cover for Grayson. Mel was wearing his two Super Bowls rings (VI and XII) as you can see. (Pretty good resolution on the camera, I would have to say!) Very big moment for me - first time I've met a Cowboys from the 1971 team that beat Miami 24-3, or seen one of the rings. (I declined to tell Mel that I have a shelf in my study at home reserved for SB VI memorabilia). Fortunately for me I was wearing my commemorative Staubach jersey for Super Bowl VI, so I was prepared. (Grayson was just happy about the light switch cover).
We then got Grayson and Jamie's faces painted (he insisted on a full-face star) and then we watched the Cowboys demolish the Jets, 34-3, . Before leaving, we took one last picture of the three of us in Texas Stadium. My first game there was November 22, 1973, and my last (and Grayson's first and probably only) November 22, 2007.