Tom Landry, the Hall of Fame coach, built the Dallas team from the ground up, yet the way his tenure ended left lasting emotional scars. What happened after Jerry Jones took over changed Landry's NFL loyalties, leaving fans stunned.

In 1989, Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and dismissed Landry, who had worked for 29 seasons as head coach of the team. Landry was linked with Dallas football, but statements from his family later on revealed that the separation pushed him away from the franchise.

"I don't know him at all," said Landry's wife, Alicia Landry, in the Around the League podcast. "I really don't. I know what he looks like. I've seen him a few times, and we say hello to each other in a friendly way. But I don't know him."

Alicia Landry's comments on the Around the League podcast via nfl.com discussed the legendary coach who became a New York Giants fan before his demise on February 12, 2000.

Eventually, the biggest fracture in Cowboys history came with a change in ownership. When Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys, his first blockbuster move was to part ways with Landry after his incredible run, clearing the way for Jimmy Johnson.

Landry's loyalties changed because of Jones' behavior, who took away the Family Suite at Texas Stadium and even prohibited his son, Tom Jr., from getting any season tickets.

The Landry family never continued any relations with Jerry Jones once he dismissed Landry in 1989 on a golf course. Alicia admitted that she never entered the AT&T Stadium built by Jerry Jones for the Cowboys.

Whereas the Mara family of New York stayed close to the Landrys, as Alicia said, the Giants still felt "like family." Landry was defensive coordinator from 1954 for the New York Giants till taking charge of Dallas in 1960.

Landry's achievements with Dallas are unmatched. While coaching at Dallas, he led the Cowboys to two Super Bowls, secured five NFC championships and 13 division titles, and recorded an NFL-record 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966 through 1985.

Landry finished with 270 career wins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Later on, Jones admitted that he regretted the manner in which he handled Landry's dismissal.

However, Landry's remarkable journey was not just admired by fans but also by other fellow coaches who understood how difficult the success he achieved was.

Tom Landry's winning standard can never be matched

Dan Reeves wasn't just another assistant under Tom Landry. After starring as a player, Reeves spent 15 years on the Dallas Cowboys' coaching staff.

He climbed all the way to offensive coordinator and earned a reputation as Landry's protege and the franchise's expected successor before eventually leaving to become a head coach himself.

"This is my 19th season as a head coach," says Atlanta's Dan Reeves, who spent 15 years under Landry as a player and an assistant, via ESPN. "I cannot imagine how someone could stay with the same organization and achieve 20 straight winning seasons. It's incredible."

Reeves admired how rare the achievement was. The streak from 1966 through 1985, the Cowboys never posted a losing season, which lasted for two decades of changing rosters, strategies, and competition.

Landry totaled a 270-178-6 record, as he helped the Cowboys establish themselves as "America's team." His consistency and coaching are among the greatest achievements in NFL history.

What are your views on Jerry Jones' behavior towards Tom Landry? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote