After Failing to Stop the Eagles, Bradie James Puts a Stop to Angry Fan Protest

Following Dallas' embarrassing end to its disappointing season on Sunday, there's been some talk that this could be one of the lowest points in the history of the Cowboys franchise. I'm not sure I agree with that, after all, there was the late 1980's, Dave Campo as head coach, and that home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals a decade or so ago.

This was simply an overrated team that stumbled along at a 9-7 pace while a few egos slowly, but surely, brought the team down from the inside. I mean, what did you really expect when you threw Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones and Roy Williams -- the receiver -- in the same locker room under the leadership and guidance of Wade Phillips? That's a recipe for madness.

Having said that, and even though the season is over in Dallas, there's still plenty of time to make this the lowest point in franchise history, and attacking fans outside the practice facility -- allegedly -- is a good place to start.

According to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram, a disappointed Cowboys fan by the name of Alan Lowe decided to voice his displeasure in sign form, by marching outside the team's practice facility with a pair of signs that read, "The Cowboys have no heart," and "Wade Phillips is an embarrassment to the star."

Linebacker Bradie James was not amused.

Fans Caught in Crosshairs

Dec. 29, 2008:
Bradie James of the Cowboys, seen here in October, allegedly rips signs off a fan's back and breaks the fan's glasses in the process. Click through for more fans who got a little too close for comfort with pro athletes.

Matt Slocum, AP

Oct. 23, 2008
A vicious check against the boards from Bruins forward Milan Lucic sends shards of glass flying onto fans sitting along the boards. Two fans were treated for cuts on their faces, while two others had cuts on their hands from touching the broken glass.

YouTube.com / TSN

Sept. 27, 2008
Anthony Kim injured a spectator when he hit his drive off an unsuspecting fan's head during the third round of the Tour Championship. The man appeared in good spirits, despite a massive gash and a trip to the hospital.

John Amis, AP

Nov. 19, 2004
After former Pacers player Ron Artest was struck by a cup of beer from a Detroit Pistons fan, various members of the Pacers rushed the crowd as an all-out brawl with fans ensued. Artest was fined and suspended the rest of the season for his part in the incident.

Duane Burleson, AP

Sept. 13, 2004
Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco hurled a folding chair into the crowd in a game against the Athletics, but the chair hit the wrong target - an unsuspecting woman - who was taken to the hospital and received stitches. Francisco was arrested and sentenced to anger management classes.

D. Ross Cameron, The Oakland Tribune / AP

July 9, 2003
Former MLB player Randall Simon interfered with the famous 'Sausage Race' at Miller Park when he swung a bat at a contestant and caused her to fall. The contestant was in a padded costume and was not harmed, but video of the incident became an popular sports highlight. Simon was fined $432.10 for disorderly conduct.

Milwaukee County Sheriff / AP

June 16, 2000
Once considered one of the game's best fielders, Chuck Knoblauch's accuracy suffered once he became a Yankee. During a game against the White Sox, one of his throwing errors actually hit commentator Keith Olbermann's mother in the stands.

Lou Requena, AP

May 16, 2000
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers bullpen spilled into stands during a game at Wrigley Field. A fan had grabbed catcher Chad Kreuter's hat while he sat in the bullpen and when Kreuter went to recover it, a fistfight between Dodgers players and fans ensued over the railing.

Charles Cherney, Chicago Tribune

Jan. 25, 1995
Eric Cantona, former Manchester United soccer player, became infamous after being given a red card when he decided to issue out a 'kung-fu' style kick to a heckling fan. Cantona was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and was suspended for the remainder of the season.

Gerry Penny, AFP / Getty Images

July 16, 1993
Vince Coleman was charged with endangerment when he tossed a firecracker into a crowd of baseball fans and the explosion injured three children. All three were treated with minor injuries and Coleman was given the rest of the season off to attend to his legal issues.

AFP / Getty Images

Apparently, James asked the fan to remove his signs, which resulted in Lowe -- the fan -- popping off about how the Cowboys were showing more emotion on Monday than they did on Sunday. Smooth move, Mr. Lowe. James admits he then threatened the fan and ripped the signs off his back, breaking his glasses in the process.

From the Star-Telegram:

"He said, 'Why you guys didn't show that fire last night? You should have showed that heart last night'," James recalled. "So next thing you know, I'm just ripping his sign off him. So I ripped the sign off him. He said I broke his glasses, so I went and gift-wrapped some Oakleys. He got something out the deal." "I wanted them to feel what I felt last night," Lowe said. "Bradie is actually one of the guys that plays with heart." James said he apologized and gave him a handshake but said Lowe was still out of line. "I told him, 'I share your frustrations. But where we differ is I wouldn't go to anybody's job, especially not with 300-pound guys, trying to tell them what they didn't do right'," James said. "But that's it. It's over." Lowe did not file a police report.

In other words, it's just another day with the Cowboys. Still, what is it with Cowboys fans and their desire to show their displeasure in protest form? This scene comes just a couple of weeks after the hilarious video of the Cowboys fan heckling ESPN's Ed Werder following the Terrell Owens-Jason-Witten-Tony Romo soap opera, and now this. No sports talk radio in Dallas?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)

12-29-2008 @ 5:35PM

Mike said...

Will there be change in Dallas?
The Cowboys could easily have finished 11-5 or 12-4 if Romo wouldn't have been hurt they are an explosive team I'm just glad Carolina didn't face them this year. Go Panthers!

12-29-2008 @ 9:00PM

R.J. said...

Fact of the matter is Romo and the front office leadership needs to be replaced. It won't happen so we continue to blame Owens, Pac, Tank and Roy. The real shame is we have a qb who is allowed the turn the ball over at will and not be punished for it. POOR, POOR, leadership...

12-30-2008 @ 12:57PM

GetRidOfRomo said...

I agree, Romo is a bum, lets face it

12-29-2008 @ 6:21PM

dj said...

i agree, the team was not prepared to play. They never showed tenacity on offense. The defense cannot hold good offenses down completely for 4 qrters, especially when the qb turns the ball over 3 times. The qb situation in dallas is suspect, and so preparation was key. Romo continues to turn the ball over during games, and he does not have an aikman type presence on the field. He doen not display leadership. T.O. gets criticized a lot, but he is the only player or coach who tries to fire the team up on the field and sidelines. Jimmy Johnson is the type of coach dallas needs right now. They won't win the superbowl with phillips. There is no acountability, no consequences for poor play on the field. That starts with the coach.

12-30-2008 @ 12:43PM

Danny said...

You are absolutley right. I said that from the beginning of the season. Wade and Romo are all hype by Jerry Jones. Romo is mediocre at best.

12-29-2008 @ 7:06PM

WillieJ said...

The problem in the big D is to many stars but no real leaders !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone on the team needs to do some real soul seaching. Some good men need to step up and start to lead not follow TO and the rest of the clowns !!!!!

12-30-2008 @ 4:29PM

Timothy Adams said...

Just my opinion, every one talking about Wade needs to go, WRONG, when Romo went down the defense step up it's game, sure, they blew a coverage or two, but these guys step up, you need to go back 8 games, you can see the change.
The offense, OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!, Jason G., no creativity, the scoring went down, you can't live on the draw alone, Romo is my boy, but he's reminding me of Danny White, but he can grow, if he believes in being the best Romo and ONLY Romo can be, not how he can be like Brady or stand like Brady or drop back like Brady, WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerry , please use wisdom, but for you, it's easier using money, Pac man is a bust, Roy Williams need a little time with Roma for timing sake, and the offensive line coach, must I say more, but what I say means nothing, I'm just a 30 year fan-fa-natic from the outside looking in, maybe thats why he said it's for the simple to see and let it stay hidden from the so call smart and the wise.

12-29-2008 @ 7:45PM

giant fan said...

HAHAHAHAHAAH salty @ss popcorn

12-30-2008 @ 10:46AM

randy stinnett said...

ha ha ha to that n.y. giant fan your not going to the super bowl so laugh all you want to.

12-29-2008 @ 7:47PM

johnb said...

It is easy to blame Romo, i know, but lets get real. The nfl stands for not for long. Unsuccessful means fire the coach. It is as simple as that. Results are what matters that is all. This was the worst result of all. If you think the distractions matter, go play in North Carolina or Tennessee. The boys got predictible, and Philly figured it out, happened last year too. It comes down to COACHING, or lack of it. Cmon,Wade pretty much has done what he does. How come nobody else wants him? Last thought, TO has tried to be a team player and motivator. I dont blame him for being pissed off. Im pissed too!

12-29-2008 @ 7:51PM

Big Rob said...

The only question is - - - - Do you change the name to the Dallas Raiders or the Oakland Cowboys?

12-29-2008 @ 7:59PM

Skippy said...

THANK YOU, JERRY!

Thank you for keeping Wade Phillips! You go, Cowboys!

Signed,

Tom in NY, Andy in Philly

12-29-2008 @ 8:44PM

Don said...

I'm a Giant fan and enjoyed seeing Dallas get their butt kicked. Putting that aside for Dallas to be a true SB contender Jerry has to stop being the head coach and get a take charge replacment for Wade. Until that happens you can call it the "Cowboy Jerry Zoo Parade."

12-29-2008 @ 9:16PM

Geordi said...

Don't worry Cowboys fans: you're not the only one with a pathetic team. The Vikings are going to get creamed by Philly, at home no less. Zygi won't replace Childress and the Vikings will remain a mediocre team at best.

12-30-2008 @ 1:37PM

terry said...

we'll see Geordi, I wouldn't put any money on Minnesota losing this Sunday

12-30-2008 @ 6:03PM

Karen said...

Philly got luckly. They will not make it to the SuperBowl. Go Pittsburgh

12-30-2008 @ 7:36PM

griz said...

Hmmmm, Pittsburgh and Philidelphia in the SB. Man, I could dig that!

12-29-2008 @ 10:01PM

Cary said...

For all the Cowboys fans who think that someone just needs to step up and be the team leader or at least the offensive leader...forget it. Romo for all intensive purposes should be that leader, but he's not, and never will be. Leaders lead by action and have a certain mental approach to whatever they do. Romo's "just a football game" attitude is the whole problem with the offense. He gets paid millions of dollars to do a job and he failed. Until his attitude changes (probably never will) the Cowboys will not succeed to the next level; much less a Super Bowl.