Recently, Jayron Kearse criticized the Dallas Cowboys for putting their players in a “zoo-like” environment during fan tours. In response, Jourdan Lewis defended the franchise, owned by Jerry Jones.
Former Cowboys players have raised concerns about the practice environment, comparing it to a zoo. Kearse, who was with the team from 2021 to 2023, specifically criticized the fan tours at the Cowboys’ training facility in Frisco, Texas. He explained how these tours interfere with daily operations, mentioning that players often encounter fans while going to meetings or meals. His criticism aligns with an anonymous player who believes that the facility should be a space for athletes to focus on development, without distractions.
The constant presence of fans during practice has been seen as a disruption, particularly as the team faces increasing pressure as the season progresses.
Lewis addressed Kearse’s critique, sharing his perspective on X (formerly Twitter) via a tweet from Ed Werder.
Jourdan Lewis: “It’s Jerry’s world. That’s not our job to go out there and tell Jerry what to do with his organization. Our job is to go out there and win games, regardless of if you see [tours] as a distraction, like the media or anybody else. We got to go do our job regardless… https://t.co/KOHuhrP6Dx.”
Jerry Jones has long been a proponent of increased fan access, even allowing live broadcasts from the Cowboys’ draft room. This approach has certainly bolstered the team’s popularity, making them the most valuable sports franchise globally. However, critics argue that this focus on fan engagement might be affecting the Cowboys’ on-field performance, as they haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1996.
While Kearse acknowledged the importance of fan engagement, he emphasized that it shouldn’t interfere with the team’s preparation. With the Cowboys currently holding a 3-3 record and facing several challenges, the debate over balancing fan experiences with the need for concentrated training remains a hot topic within the organization.
