Why the Dallas Cowboys neglected to pay tribute to Mike McCarthy after the Eagles' historic victory

QB Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys was stumped. After Sunday’s 33-13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, a straightforward inquiry about what the players did for coach Mike McCarthy elicited a blank expression from a guy owner Jerry Jones referred to as the best leader the franchise has ever had and who typically has the appropriate words and gestures for every scenario.

McCarthy had just finished his best hour as the Cowboys coach, according to Jones. Four days after suffering such severe stomach discomfort that he had to have an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday, McCarthy led the team to its largest victory of the nearly four-year tenure. It took him till Thursday to leave the hospital, and it took him until Friday to return.

When McCarthy rallied the players for the locker room pep talk following the game, they did not acknowledge his agony or their ability to endure it. “We didn’t,” Prescott responded. You are aware of his ease and speed. Chop, chop, chop. We dissected it. You know, we still have time. We will include it. Prescott then attempted to turn it into a joke.

“Today was much like any other game day. I am aware, of course, that he recently underwent surgery. He is a strong individual. I am aware that I gave him a hard time earlier in the week and gave him a chance to prove it. He made it clear. It felt typical. He had excellent timing on certain plays and called some really good ones…dubbed a fantastic game.

The fact that it seemed like a typical game for McCarthy and the Cowboys was perhaps the greatest compliment to him. It was represented by the Cowboys’ lack of celebration of him as they were so focused on winning. McCarthy would not accept anything less.

That came from an ordinary week. Even though he persevered, the surgery and standing on his feet for over three hours during the game caused him pain and soreness. McCarthy said that he felt more anxious than usual before the game. And he started doing that while driving to the stadium.

“On game day, I follow a routine,” McCarthy remarked. To be honest, I was just trying to get here as quickly as possible. And I was actually somewhat aback by how many people were already here—I believe the time was 2:15. I hope traffic doesn’t force our players to be late, that was all on my mind. While traveling here, that was what was on my mind. But no, I get to the stadium earlier as part of a routine. That’s why arriving here, maintaining my routine, and getting ready to, you know, call the game was a big part of my anxiety. I couldn’t wait to compete.

When McCarthy had to sprint down the field to throw a challenge flag in the second quarter after running back Rico Dowdle was judged short of the goal line, it was a pivotal moment. It worked, and the Cowboys were rewarded with a touchdown. According to Jones, McCarthy’s actions and experiences on Sunday were anything from typical.

Anybody that doesn’t understand, go out there and stand for three hours and go up down that sideline,” Jones said “Go up and down that sideline and keeping that stature and keeping that leadership posture, that coaching posture. Anybody doesn’t understand that was gutting it up, doesn’t understand just anatomy. So he did that. He was bound and determined to show that and show that to the team and show that to the opposition.”