There is no greater icon of the American west than the Cowboy. They are stoic, hardworking, and quintessentially American. The era of the cowboy began after the Civil War in the heart of Texas. Cattle were herded long before this time, but in Texas, they grew wild and unchecked. As the country expanded, the demand for beef in the northern territories and states increased. With nearly 5 million head of cattle, cowboys moved the herds on long drives to where the profits were.
The team now known as the Cowboys was first known as the Dallas Steers, then the Dallas Rangers. On March 19, 1960, the organization announced that the team name was the Cowboys to avoid confusion with the Dallas Rangers baseball team. In the end, the Cowboys football team became a icon of America in their own right, which is why they are proudly known as America’s team.