How the Arizona Cardinals “Jinxed” the Dallas Cowboys’ blue uniforms

There is a unique history between the former division rival Dallas Cowboys and St.Louis (Arizona) Cardinals.

Back in 1976 when the Arizona Cardinals were in St.Louis and members of the NFC East, they established living space in the minds of the Dallas Cowboys and stayed there rent-free for years.

The Cardinals were facing the Cowboys and knew that their record was less-than-stellar when they had to wear their blue jerseys. The Cowboys wore white at home, so Cowboys fans could see the “home” uniforms of the visiting team when they came to town.

However, since this game was being played in St.Louis, the Cardinals had the choice of the uniform per NFL rules. So they wore their white uniforms and happen to win the contest, 21-17. This has gone on for years, and it’s not exclusive to games where they only play the Cardinals.

This led to the Cowboys’ Chief Talent Scout, Gil Brandt to referring them as the “jinxed” uniforms, and he even credited the Cardinals for creating such a jinx.

"The Cardinals also relied on forcing the Cowboys to wear their blue jerseys. As is the established NFL rule, the home team always has the option of wearing their home or away jerseys, thus forcing the visiting team to wear the opposite. By 1974 the Cardinals came to the belief that the Cowboys supper to jinx and often lost when they wore their blue jerseys, so the Cardinals had no qualms about wearing their white jerseys. The decision to force Dallas to where its blue jerseys did not always work, but it did on this day. St Louis Prevail 21 to 17. Dallas had their chances as several dropped passes and untimely penalties costume at least two touchdowns. The Cowboys lost dropped in from the ranks of the undefeated and tie them with the Cardinals for first place in the NFC East with a 5-1 record.The NFL in the 1970s: Pro Football’s Most Important Decade, by Joe Zagorski, Page 233, Paragraph 2"

The Arizona Cardinals were the reason the Dallas Cowboys “jinxed” uniforms existed

The NFL is loaded with so much history and unique, frivolous facts to keep any football fan busy for a long, long time. Of course, the jinx didn’t work the best in the grand scheme of things as the Cowboys have way more titles than the Cardinals do.

But it’s nice to look back upon things and say “yes, that’s us and we did that”.  Ever since the Cardinals moved into their new stadium, this jersey matchup hasn’t happened yet. The Cardinals haven’t worn white at home in the new stadium since the 2009 game against the Houston Texans.

The Arizona Cardinals have won six out of the last seven matchups with the Cowboys, but trail the all-time series 56-34-1. Who knows if the Cardinals will ever get to take over the lead in the series, but on the 4th of July, at least the Cardinals can sit back and enjoy the thorn they put in their former rivals’ side.