On This Date in Sports November 24, 1994: Double Star
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
Just in time for Christmas, the Dallas Cowboys unveiled a new Double-Star Jersey for their Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers. Fans would be unable to see Troy Aikman wear it in this game as he was injured. The Cowboys, however, still beat the Packers 42-31 as Jason Garrett passed for 311 yards with two touchdowns.
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 1994 season looking for a third straight Super Bowl championship. This was despite losing coach Jimmy Johnson, who departed after a dispute with Owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys again appeared to be one of the teams to beat as they jumped out to a 9-2 start under Barry Switzer. However, a loss to the San Francisco 49ers had them playing catchup for home field in the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers entered the Thanksgiving Game looking to take a step forward. After making the playoffs for the first time in 11 years in 1993, the Packers were scuffling a 6-5 as Brett Favre was still trying to balance his gunslinger style into consistent success for Mike Holmgren.
The Packers drew first blood in Dallas, as Brett Favre connected with Sterling Sharpe on a one-yard pass, the only score in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Packers added 28-yard by Chris Jacke and a second Favre to Sharpe touchdown pass. The Cowboys, meanwhile, managed just two field goals from Chris Boniol and trailed at the half 17-6.
In the third quarter, the Cowboys got a jumpstart from Kevin Williams, who returned the opening kickoff to the Green Bay five, setting up an easy score for Emmitt Smith. Green Bay answered as Sterling Sharpe reeled in a third touchdown reception. By now, the Cowboys were smelling blood and quickly went down the field as Jason Garrett connected with Alvin Harper on a 45-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys two-point attempt failed, as they still trailed 24-19. After the Cowboys' defense shutdown Favre, Kevin Williams struck again, returning a punt deep into Packers territory. The Cowboys took full advantage, taking a 25-24 lead on a one-yard plunge by Darry Johnston.
With momentum entirely on Dallas’ side, the Cowboys quickly got the ball back and drove down the field again, extending the lead to 32-24 as Emmitt Smith scored on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Cowboys would continue their attack on the next drive, as Garrett connected with Michael Irvin on a 35-yard scoring pass. Sterling Sharpe would catch a fourth touchdown pass, but it was not enough as the Cowboys got a field goal by Boniol and won the game 42-31.
Brett Favre shined on Thanksgiving, passing for 257 yards with four touchdowns, all of them to Sterling Sharpe, who had 122 yards on 13 receptions. Jason Garrett, meanwhile, passed for 311 yards with two touchdowns, while Emmitt Smith rushed for 133 yards with two touchdowns.