There are are many heartbreaking moments in the history of the Dallas Cowboys regarding the playoffs, and recent times have added their share. In 2007, the team was billed as near Super Bowl locks only to lose to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. In 2014 and 2016, the playoff losses to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were decided by situations that taught us how to understand further what a “catch” means in the NFL.
The 2023 Cowboys had their flaws but had the makeup of being a strong playoff contender, especially in a weakened NFC conference. The roster was blended with veteran leadership in Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Brandin Cooks, and Stephon Gilmore, mixed in with their rising stars DaRon Bland, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons.
However, the curse that seems to linger like a foul odor every time the Cowboys play the Packers in the postseason took over again. Dallas lost 48-32, and the score doesn’t reflect what’s now considered among the most embarrassing playoff exits in team history.
Fans have dealt with the loss in various ways, and the disappointment is palpable. Some accept this is how things are moving forward unless there’s substantial change. Some destroyed a few jerseys and televisions to the dismay of their significant others, and some have lost the joy that made them Cowboys fans in the first place. Their feelings are valid.
The players were equally shocked and disappointed in the locker room after the game with how things played out. Everyone is looking to turn the page towards the 2024 season, but no matter how far in the rearview mirror the playoff loss is, sometimes some reminders take us back to the game like a bad nightmare.
Micah Parsons started The Lions Den, a youth football camp run by the All-Pro that “connects and empowers the country’s youth to bring their Inner Lion out from within.” Parsons recently finished a small tour of camps in Texas when a young Cowboys fan had a light-hearted interaction with the pass rusher, bringing back memories of the playoff loss.
#Cowboys Micah Parsons had a funny back-and-forth with a little fan at his Youth Camp:
Kid: “Micah Parsons, you know one time I went to your game.”
Micah: “Which one?”
Kid: “Umm. The Green Bay Packers.”
Micah: “Delete that from your memory.” 😅
(🎥: @MicahhParsons11 on IG) pic.twitter.com/D8QhJA9MSc
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) June 24, 2024
Parsons advised the fan to “delete” the game from his memory. Most fans would agree and have probably tried to do so, but a memory like that is tough to get rid of.
Dallas surrendering 48 points to Green Bay is the most in the team’s playoff history. Jordan Love had a near-perfect passer rating, while Dak Prescott threw two interceptions, with one being a pick-six.
Parsons later responded to the video on Twitter, adding a few crying emojis: “Super Bowl or nothing!! Can’t have kids remembering this!”
The Cowboys don’t have Green Bay on the regular season schedule, but if they make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year, the haunting memories might return to Dallas.