Big D is Home Of America's Finest Whines

Every city with a major professional sports franchise or college program will have within in its fan base that group which loves to bellyache. Their most-often used refrain is "We was robbed!"

However, after spending nearly 10 years living in Dallas, I have come to the conclusion that nobody has cornered the market on moaning, excuse making and finger pointing like the fans in Big D, and I'm not just talking about the latest controversy regarding the missed intentional foul Saturday on Denver's Carmelo Anthony.

No, this art of making excuses or finding scapegoats has a long history in this metroplex. As far as I can tell, it took root during the late 1960s with the Dallas Cowboys.

After losing the famed "Ice Bowl" to Green Bay, Cowboy apologists would point to the conditions and say there was no way the Packers would have beaten Dallas on a normal field.

The desire to blame outside forces or other people for Cowboys' failures manifested itself in the 1970s, when the team was one of the most successful in the NFL. When the Cowboys won, it was because they were the better team with a superior coach: Tom Landry.

However, when they lost, especially in a big game, it wasn't that the opponent was better or because Landry got outcoached. No, it was because their foe played dirty or the refs got something wrong.

According to the locals, including those in the media, the Super Bowl V loss was because an official incorrectly awarded a fumble to the Colts.

The 'Boys, their fans and the team's media shills conveniently forget that Dallas led 13-6 late in the fourth quarter before two Craig Morton interceptions resulted in the tying touchdown and winning field goal.

Then came the Steelers, a bruising, intimidating and talented team that beat Dallas in Super Bowls X and XIII, thus becoming the Team of the 1970s. Most of the nation understood the black and gold was the better team, but not in Dallas. Down here, the evil empire from western Pennsylvania succeeded because the referees didn't do their job.

Specifically, players and fans still cry down here about the questionable pass interference against Benny Barnes in Super Bowl XII, which helped set up a Pittsburgh scoring chance.

Never mind that the drive ended with Franco Harris going untouched through an unprepared Cowboys' defense or that Dallas was dumb enough to put Randy White and his broken thumb on the return team during the ensuing kickoff. He fielded the ball and fumbled it away, which led to another Steeler touchdown.

Many Cowboy players from that era also moan about how they're being disrespected by the NFL Hall of Fame, simply because they haven't received the enshrinement they believe is their entitlement.

It's not because many hall voters truly question whether players such as Drew Pearson and Cliff Harris are worthy. No, down here it's because there's a conspiracy to keep the Cowboys out of Canton.

Sounds like a great storyline for an Oliver Stone movie. Maybe he could call it "HOF."

Finger pointing found its way on to Dallas' hardwood with the arrival of Mark Cuban as the owner of the Mavericks.

Under him, the Mavs have become both winners and whiners. In 2006, it was Dwayne Wade's drive to the hoop in Game 5 of the NBA championshiop, which in the eyes of Dallas fans ended with a phantom foul call and pair of game-winning free throws for Miami.

Now, for the record, Wade was touched en route to the basket. There are photos showing this, but I don't think it warranted a call. Still, that's not what cost Dallas the game.

A few minutes earlier, with the score tied 97-97, the Mavs went to the foul line four times and made only one free throw. Make all four, and Wade's drive to the hoop is moot.

Ditto Saturday's loss at the AAC. True, the NBA acknowledged the call was missed, but as has been pointed out by many commontators on television and radio, the Mavs have nobody to blame but themselves for the defeat.

Again they missed crucial free throws late in the game, and then they allowed Anthony to score an easy bucket to cut the lead to 105-103.

On the crucial play itself, the Mavs quit playing—Antoine Wright sure did after committing it—when they thought a foul would be called. Professionals continue to play if they don't hear a whistle, which is what Anthony did and why Denver is now up 3-0.

By the way Mav fans, let's say Wright's hack had knocked the ball loose, Wright grabs it, no whistle is blown and he's awarded a steal.

Now, it's Denver's turn to complain, and I would so interested in hearing what you'd be calling the Nugget fans in that case. Crybabies, that's what.

Dallas fans should know, because they've mastered the art.