Articles for February 14th, 2013
Jack Eskridge, the Man Who Created the Dallas Cowboys’ Logo, Has Died
Jack Eskridge is the man not wearing a uniform in the bottom right. Photo: Dallas Cowboys
Seems strange now to think that somewhere, at some point, someone designed the Dallas Cowboys logo. It’s likely the world’s most recognizable team logo, second only to maybe the New York Yankees. The man who created that logo, Jack Eskridge, died Monday; he was 89. According to his obituary, he led an incredible life before creating the logo, witnessing the flag-raising at Iwo Jima during World War II and playing basketball at Kansas:
Jack also played two years professional basketball with the Chicago Stags and Indianapolis Jets. After graduation Jack coached the Kansas League Champions at Atchison High. “Phog” Allen recruited Jack to be an Assistant Basketball Coach and equipment manager for KU from 1954-1959, where he recruited Wilt Chamberlain. In 1959 he was hired by Tom Landry to be the Dallas Cowboys equipment manger (1960-1973) where he designed the Star on the helmet.
Iwo Jima, Wilt Chamberlain, Dallas Cowboys logo, all before he turned 37. When professional football teams began including players’ names on their jerseys, he quipped to Sports Illustrated, “We’re double-stitching the veterans’ jerseys and single-stitching the rookies’.” In the book Tales From The Dallas Cowboys Sideline, All-Pro and Cowboys Ring of Honor member Cliff Harris reminisced about how he received the number 43:
People have asked me how I decided to wear number 43. The truth is, I did not decide on that number…I really had no choice. Jack Eskridge assigned me that number. Period. As a rookie I had very little control over what happened to me. The vets got all the good perks…
…when I went up to the opening in the cage where Jack practically lived and asked for a game jersey, he threw me number 43. I thought it was a good number, but I knew it had been worn years before by one of the original great Cowboys, Don Perkins. He was an excellent running back who is in the “Ring of Honor” in Texas Stadium.
I told Jack, “This is Perkins’ number. I want another number.”
He just laughed and said, “Hell, boy, it doesn’t really matter…you ain’t makin’ the team anyway!”
That story goes on to explain that Eskridge didn’t particularly care for the “cool Adidas or Puma shoes,” and preferred Riddells and Wilsons. I have an email in to the Cowboys for comment; if I hear back I’ll update.
If Alberto Morales Wasn’t an Escaped Sex Offender, I’d Say His Tattoo Was Pretty Awesome
But he is, so I won’t. Anyway, Grapevine Police released a photo of Alberto Morales’ very distinct tattoo today. I don’t know why he’d be sleeveless, running around Grapevine, but if you’ve spotted that tattoo, call 911.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Feb. 14
AP Style tip: capitalize Valentine’s Day, short for Saint Valentine’s Day. Lowercase: I’m sending a valentine to my valentine.
— AP Stylebook (@APStylebook) February 14, 2013
This is what I call true romance. Speaking of romance, raise your hand if your plans with your significant other include a comedy club. Now let me beg you to reconsider. I mean, I can think of worse things. But this is a day for general positivity and happiness, and when that fails, well, there’s always bitterness and recrimination. Let’s get to your alternatives, shall we?
The touring production of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Anything Goes has landed temporarily at the Winspear Opera House, and it is a wonderful show—a classic love story that just silly enough without being soppy, and great music by Cole Porter. Orchestra seats for tonight are scarce (singles only, which doesn’t bother me—I see plays alone all the time, and often prefer it), but there are so many tickets left in the nosebleeds. However, your best Arts District bet, Tei-An, is booked. You’ll probably have a little trouble sliding in to just about any reservations-required restaurant tonight, honestly, but a little BYOB action at Mai‘s could be sweet. Also, Klyde Warren Park is apparently “one of the most romantic spots in Dallas.” We’ll just agree to disagree on that count, but there’s all sorts of Valentine’s Day shenanigans going on there starting around 6 p.m., including Champagne and cake balls, for those who just can’t commit to something so enormous as a cupcake.
Crazily enough, Mesa has space tonight. You can get a table for 6:15—a little early, but stay with me, and then head across the street to the Texas Theatre for arguably one of the greatest love stories of all time, excluding Han and Leia from Star Wars and the two kids who die really dramatically at the end: The Princess Bride. Otherwise, Mesa has reservations for 8:30, 8:45…this is nuts. Go there.
For more to do tonight, including a classical concert at the Meyerson and three Chekhon one-act plays out in Fort Worth, go here.
The CEOs of American and US Airways Wore the Exact Same Outfit to Their Press Conference Today
“We’d like to announce that, in addition to merging our two companies, we’ve also merged our closets.”
Fort Worth State Rep. Files Marriage Equality Bill
State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) filed a bill today that would remove provisions in the Texas Family Code that deny same-sex couples the ability to marry in Texas and allow the state to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.
“Continuing to deny all Texans the freedom to marry robs them of that experience and is detrimental to their families,” Burnam said in a statement. “Texans want a state where anyone can work hard and provide for their families. Our Texas values mandate defending the right of all Texans to have their rights and responsibilities as couples recognized by the state.”
The bill is the fifth such bill filed by state legislators this session; Dallas Rep. Rafael Anchia filed a bill to repeal the state’s anti-gay marriage amendment last week.
“The increasing public support for the freedom to marry in Texas is yet another sign that equal recognition of loving, committed couples is a mainstream Texas value,” Equality Texas executive director Chuck Smith said in a statement. “Rep. Burnam has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBT community and the freedom to marry. HB 1300, together with the Joint Resolutions filed in the House and Senate, are the legislative steps necessary to enact into law what we already know to be true: that LGBT Texans are equal and deserve equal recognition of their familial relationships.”
Jump for the full bill:
A Bizarre Thing Happened at Al Hill III’s Hearing This Morning, and It Includes District Attorney Craig Watkins and the FBI
I’ll let the Morning News take it from here. There are sure to be updates.
FreedomWorks Planned to Show a Video of a Fake Panda Having Sex With a Fake Hillary Clinton at a 2012 Event in Dallas, But Someone Thought That Was a Bad Idea
In one of the most bizarre stories you’ll read, ever, FreedomWorks — the conservative group formerly chaired by Dick Armey — apparently created a video of a fake panda fellating a fake Hillary Clinton, and planned to show it at the July 26, 2012 FreePAC event, held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Mother Jones has the whole insane story:
The short film hailing FreedomWorks was intended to play on the large video screens inside the arena.
In one segment of the film, according to a former official who saw it, [former FreedomWorks EVP Adam] Brandon is seen waking from a nap at his desk. In what appears to be a dream or a nightmare, he wanders down a hallway and spots a giant panda on its knees with its head in the lap of a seated Hillary Clinton and apparently fellating the then-secretary of state. Two female interns at FreedomWorks were recruited to play the panda and Clinton. One intern wore a Hillary Clinton mask. The other wore a giant panda suit that FreedomWorks had used at protests to denounce progressives as panderers. Placing the panda in the video, a former FreedomWorks staffer says, was “an inside joke.”
Another FreedomWorks staffer who worked there at the time confirms that ”Yes, this video was created.”
Days before the FreePAC event, the video was screened for staff. “My mouth was wide open,” a former official recalls. “‘What the hell is this?’” Several FreedomWorks staffers were outraged and stunned that Brandon, the group’s second-in-command after [president Matt] Kibbe, had overseen the video’s production, appeared in it, and intended to show this film at the conference, which would be attended by many social-conservative activists. They raised objections to the film.
I think those objections were probably relevant. This story came to the surface due to an internal investigation of the conservative advocacy group, after questions were raised about the group’s use of funds. Bet they didn’t think they’d find this.
Scott Michael Foster Talks Zero Hour and Valentine’s Day Plans
Photo by Ben Trivett
If you ever had a guilty pleasure for the teen dramas of ABC Family, then Scott Michael Foster, of the network’s former hit show Greek, is no stranger to your television. The 27-year-old Dallas native was a fan favorite of the college fraternity/sorority based drama until its end in 2011. For those who missed him, today’s a great day. Foster returns to ABC (the grown up one) in Zero Hour, a new thriller that takes on a National Treasure meets The Da Vinci Code feel. The series premieres tonight at 7.
Q: So, I see that you’re a Dallas boy.
A: Yea, I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that I was born there. I wasn’t born there, but my family’s still there. I lived there for like nine years before I moved to L.A. I go back every, I’d say, four months. So, Dallas is home, but not where I was born.
Q: What are some of your must haves or go-to places when you visit Dallas?
A: Well, I go out with my family to Possum Kingdom Lake. I go up to this ribeye spot in Decatur called Sweetie Pies, and they make like the best ribeye steaks. I go down to Velvet Taco off 75 with my mom sometimes. Get a glass of bottled coke and some tacos. It’s probably all going to be food related because I really like food. There’s a place in Lewisville, and I don’t even know the name of it, but it’s this little barbecue spot like right off the highway. There’s no sign, you just drive up, and everything is fresh. It’s wonderful. I’ll just keep that one as my secret.
‘I Don’t Care About American Merging With US Airways, But What About My Miles?’
Woke up this morning to news that everyone’s expected for months: American and US Airways merged. My first thought: what’s happening with my miles? Short answer: they’re not going anywhere. Longer answer: see below, from American’s new FAQ.
Q:How will merging with US Airways impact the AAdvantage program?
A: There is no immediate impact to the AAdvantage program. At this time, American and US Airways will remain separate companies and each company will maintain its current loyalty program — our AAdvantage program and US Airways Dividend Miles. AAdvantage miles earned by customers are secure and existing miles will continue to be honored. The AAdvantage program, including the elite program and its various facets such as lifetime status, upgrades, and bonus mileage, are intact. In addition, customers can continue to earn miles through existing AAdvantage participating companies and can redeem those miles for the same great awards — flights, upgrades, car rentals and hotels just to name a few.
Q: Will American and US Airways combine their loyalty programs into one?
A: Once the merger is complete, the new American will evaluate how best to structure its loyalty program. Ultimately, the combined company is expected to offer members more opportunities to earn and burn miles from an expanded global network of routes and partnerships, unmatched redemption options including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, one-way awards and lounge memberships, and much more.
At this time, American and US Airways will remain separate companies and each company will maintain its current loyalty program — our AAdvantage program and US Airways Dividend Miles. We expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2013, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and will keep you updated throughout the process.
There are a lot more answers to your questions in that FAQ.
Leading Off (2/14/13)
US Airways, American Airlines Approve Merger. They’re supposed to formally announce today. The company’s new name is the sound of an eagle crying.
Mavs Win, Vince Carter Passes Larry Bird On All-Time Scoring List. Pretty nice accomplishment for Carter, even though lately his nickname should be Half Man, Half Suspect Shot Selection.
Chris Kyle Was Planning To Become A Police Officer. In Dalworthington Gardens, apparently.
North Texas Business Owners Join Governor Perry On California Recruiting Trip. “We knew this would be a pretty advantageous trip for us to join in on,” said Jim Wehmeier, president and CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation. He added that the Chardonnay was both cold and plentiful.
Stars Lose 7-4. I think their problem is that they have Stephen King playing goal under his pen name. I mean, I like Different Seasons as much as anyone, but that guy was in a pretty serious car wreck. I, um, don’t really follow hockey.
A Few More Thoughts On Ant Guns. I realized after last week that maybe my focus was too narrow. I mean, if we’re going to open ourselves up to the possibility that some enterprising young arms manufacturer would go to the trouble of coming up with a gun for ants, why was I only thinking about a hand gun? Or a claw gun or whatever. You know what I mean. Ants work in teams, right? They’re soldiers. Why wouldn’t this young arms manufacturer, a rebel in the business, known for his devil-may-care ways, rakish good looks, and impossible ideas, why wouldn’t this guy–let’s call him Bolt Jericho–why wouldn’t Bolt Jericho come up with something bigger, utilizing the inherent collaborative nature of ants? He’d come up with a cannon, right? He wouldn’t even have to modify the trigger mechanism, really, just scale it down. So much simpler. And, obviously, more deadly. A bullet from an ant hand/claw gun? You’d be totally fine. But an artillery shell? DIFFERENT BALLGAME.
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