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Murphy Martin Commentary
March 29, 2007
"Gone But Not Forgotten"
Another Icon passed from the Dallas Cowboy scene last week. He did
not wear a number, was not a coach, nor a player but for more than
four decades fans looked forward to watching his antics on the
sidelines. Wilford Ray Jones was the self-made unofficial mascot of
America's team.
Known by fans far and wide as Crazy Ray, he was a fixture in his
white western attire, chaps, toy pistols, wide-brimmed western
hat.....and his stick horse! Grown men with families had grown up
with his cheer-leading, magic tricks, balloon-animals, staged
scuffles with opposing mascots and a shrill whistle that could be
heard above the roar of 65,000 fans in Texas Stadium.
Some 500-Cowboy fans gathered in The Stadium Club at Texas Stadium
last Saturday morning to say farewell to Crazy Ray.
We were one of the five or six people asked to speak at the Memorial
service. We worked with Ray Jones while we were the voice of Texas
Stadium from 1975 until 1998. More than 250 games and Ray Jones
helped make it a sheer delight. We both grew up in the Piney Woods
of East Texas, Ray in Nacogdoches and me in Lufkin. Twenty-miles
apart separated by the Angelina River. We visited on the field
before all those games and seldom did game-day go by when Ray would
not ask: "When are we going fishing again on the Angelina River."
Ray loved to fish.
Crazy Ray was special and when the Cowboys became America's Team, he
became known as the number one mascot, known to millions who saw him
perform in person or on televised Cowboy's games.
Ray Jones loved people from the end zone seats to the top-priced
seats in the upper luxury suites!
Even when failing health made amputation of his right leg necessary,
Ray Jones did not stop cheering his beloved Cowboys from the
sidelines. He just put his "stick" horse away and worked from a
wheelchair
along the sidelines. This dedicated, unique man cheered his team as
long as he could.
Mattie, his wife of 53-years, was with him when he drew his final
breaths. She told me the last words he spoke were: "I Love You!" The
endearing man who started building his name into nation-wide
prominence by selling cushions at the Cotton Bowl, blossomed and
became an indelible part of the Dallas Cowboy scene because he loved
to make people smile, and nobody--NOBODY--was a more devoted Dallas
Cowboy fan than Ray Jones.
Jerry Jones, Owner and General Manager of the Cowboys, who arranged
the Memorial Service Saturday, said: "Ray was the most talented,
entertaining and passionate of Cowboy's Fans. He touched thousands
of lives and generations of football fans. He will remain an
important part of this team's heart--and family--for as long as fans
go to Cowboy's games and feel his spirit!"
Robert Newhouse shared thoughts of several other former players with
those gathered for the Memorial Service and Calvin Hill recalled a
game in which he scored a game and his wife and young son (now an
NBA basketball star) were in attendance. After the game Calvin asked
Grant, his son, what he liked about the game, thinking he might
mention the touchdown his Dad scored. But, Grant said he liked
watching Crazy Ray doing all his antics during the game. Calvin
wasn't sure Grant even saw his Dad
score the touchdown.
One of Ray Jones targets for many years was Zema Williams, the
Washington Redskin's mascot who wore a red Indian Chief suit
complete with feathered head-dress. Zema came to Dallas for Crazy
Ray's Memorial Service. With eyes moist from talking about the loss
of a dear friend, Zema Williams said: "Ray I always told you if you
went before me, I would be here and I would do something I have
never done." With that, Zema removed his Chief's Head-dress and put
on a Dallas Cowboys cap and yelled in Crazy Ray style: "COWBOYS!"
This brought more tears to many in the audience.
Also speaking at Saturday's Services were John Webber, Team
Chaplain, Wayne Walker, a neighbor, and Jody Dean.
Video Highlights of
Crazy Ray's career were also shown and the Stadium Club was filled
with numerous enlarged pictures of many of Ray Jones sideline
antics!
In addition to his wife Mattie, Ray Jones is survived by two
brothers, one sister and two grand-children. His only daughter,
Glenda, a school-teacher for more than 20-years, preceded him in
death.
We told Mrs. Jones and those at the service, they could rest assured
that Ray is now with many more who love him, former Cowboy fans who
have gone on before and Dallas Cowboys players and coaches like Bob
Hayes, Harvey Martin, Ermal Allen, Ernie Stautner and Tom Landry.
Crazy Ray is probably already lining up those fans to support a team
put together by Coach Landry to go up against George Allen and his
Washington Redskins!
Jerry Jones said it right--Wilford Ray Jones may be gone, but he
will NEVER be forgotten!
That's our time, we thank you for yours!
Murphy Martin
Your thoughts and comments forwarded to my website will be
appreciated.
e-mail
murphy@murphymartin.com
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"2008 Could Be
Different"
"The Bug and
Nostalgia"
"A Night to
Remember"
"President's
Week"
"Two Different
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"Dungy Leaves
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"Humbled, Not
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"Holiday
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"Christmas 2006"
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August 18 - "Network News Anchors"
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August 4 - "Trust in the Media"
July 28 - "Television Then and Now"
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July 14 - "Forty Years and Counting"
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