The Dallas Cowboys are once again in the spotlight as the National Football League preseason for 2025 comes to a close. This renewed attention is not only due to ongoing contract discussions between linebacker Micah Parsons and the team’s management, but also because of the release of a new Netflix documentary that revisits one of the most significant trades in professional football history.
On Tuesday, Netflix released “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,” a documentary that examines key moments in the franchise’s history starting with owner Jerry Jones‘ acquisition of the team. The film focuses on pivotal decisions from the 1990s, particularly the trade that sent Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings. That transaction ultimately allowed Dallas to draft Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Emmitt Smith, who became instrumental in their subsequent success.
A post by Netflix Sports described how, “How Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson shocked the world by trading Herschel Walker, cutting five players, which ultimately led the Dallas Cowboys to drafting Emmitt Smith (… ) America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys is now playing.”
At the time, many observers viewed the trade as unorthodox. In retrospect, it is widely considered among the most impactful moves in league history for Dallas. As noted in coverage of the documentary’s release, some fans continue to point out that while much focus remains on past achievements, current successes have been harder for Dallas to attain.
The documentary provides historical perspective at a moment when some hope it might inspire current leadership toward future success.
