A spiteful fight song purchase birthed the NFL's most bitter, chicken-filled rivalry
In short: The Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys rivalry began not on the gridiron, but through a petty business feud. When a Texas oil tycoon was blocked from buying a team, he bought the rights to Washington's fight song to force a deal, sparking decades of intense, often bizarre, professional animosity.
The rivalry traces back to 1958, when Clint Murchison, Jr. attempted to purchase the Washington Redskins. After owner George Preston Marshall abruptly changed the terms, Murchison retaliated by acquiring the rights to the team's iconic fight song, "Hail to the Redskins," from a disgruntled band director. Because Marshall was the only owner blocking the creation of a Dallas franchise, Murchison leveraged the song to secure unanimous approval for his new team. The Cowboys officially joined the league in 1960, and by 1961, they were placed in the same division as Washington, ensuring two annual matchups.
The animosity quickly transcended standard competition, manifesting in eccentric pranks. In 1961, fans smuggled crates of chickens into D.C. Stadium to protest Marshall’s refusal to sign African-American players. The following year, pranksters left a live turkey in Marshall's hotel bathroom. These antics mirrored the intensity on the field, where the teams traded dramatic, last-minute victories throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The rivalry has since produced 32 combined division titles and eight Super Bowl championships, cementing its status as one of the most storied matchups in sports history.
While the Cowboys hold a significant lead in the overall series, the teams have maintained a fierce competitive balance in high-stakes moments. Their two playoff encounters both resulted in Washington victories, including the 1983 NFC Championship game that propelled the Redskins to their first Super Bowl title. Despite the shifting fortunes of both franchises, the history remains defined by legendary coaches like Tom Landry and Joe Gibbs, and a persistent, mutual desire to spoil the other's season, whether through a blocked field goal or a last-minute touchdown pass.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Commanders–Cowboys rivalry
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