Monday, January 6, 1997

Dark day for some Dallas fans, but relief for others

By JAY JORDEN / Associated Press Writer (Jan. 6, 1997)

DALLAS (AP) - Mike Komarek, surrounded by Dallas Cowboys fans, says he saw the end coming with Michael Irvin's first reception.

To hear him describe the scene that unfolded on a wide-screen TV at a sports bar, you might have thought Komarek was talking not about a football game but a morality play in which the troubled but talented wide receiver and his teammates got what was coming to them.

"All week long, the latest investigation involving him had been unraveling and he was still able to play," said Komarek. "But with his first catch of the night, it was like the wrath of God struck him down and he was out.

"It was like God saying, 'You're not gonna play anyway.' "

Irvin broke his right collarbone in the first quarter of Dallas' NFC playoff game Sunday, and the Cowboys' chances of winning a fourth Super Bowl in five years disappeared in a 26-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

It's the first time since 1991 that neither the Cowboys nor the San Francisco 49ers will be in the Super Bowl, and the first time in five years that Dallas isn't in the NFC championship game.

Not many fans at Randy White's All American Grill & Bar were surprised.

"It's gonna be bad not to see the 'Boys in the Bowl," said lifelong fan Cynnara Neighbors. "They've had a fifth straight division title, but they did not play up to standards this year. Carolina wanted a victory more than we did."

Other fans, disappointed by Dallas' many off-the-field problems - drug suspensions, allegations of sexual misconduct chief among them - viewed the season much like Komarek does.

"The laundry will be done the first thing tomorrow morning - and some of it will come out," said Ramiro Martinez of Dallas. "Something needs to be done about the whole situation - kids look up to these people."

Martinez said the police investigation of Irvin, who is serving a drug-related probation, and teammate Erik Williams are symptoms of a disease the Cowboys must treat.

A 23-year-old woman last week accused Williams and another man of raping her while Irvin allegedly videotaped the act.

None of the men has been charged with any crime, but the allegation was just another distraction in a season that also included the loss of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Leon Lett to a drug suspension.

"The problems are affecting the rest of the team," said Martinez. "It is very distressing to a fan ... I've talked to a lot of others who had decided not to even watch the game."

Dallas resident Ronnie Whitworth, 24, said he was rooting for the Panthers.

"I've lived here all my life, and I enjoyed seeing Carolina beat the Cowboys' butts," Whitworth said. "Carolina did deserve this win today. Michael Irvin and Erik Williams, thank you very much."

To some fans, the Cowboys' demise this year is further proof that owner Jerry Jones' empire is crumbling and that Jones shouldn't have ousted former coach Jimmy Johnson.

"Jones made a bad decision once he got rid of Johnson," said Amy Baker, 28, of Plano. "The players had been winning, but on what Johnson taught them.

"I don't like Barry Switzer's approach," she said. "He's more of a college-style coach."

Komarek, 33, said he'll be interested to see what direction the Cowboys take next season.

"A lot of fans got disgusted. It will be interesting ... to see if they decide whether to continue with the 'win, baby' attitude - or get more talent and morality," he said.