IS THERE REALLY AN AMERICA'S TEAM ANYMORE?

I'm well aware that I'm probably going to get crucified by the Cowboys fans out there for bringing up this question, but I think it's a fair topic.

As long as I can remember, the Dallas Cowboys have been known as "America's Team". I remember growing up and watching football with my dad. I remember the glory years for Dallas under Tom Landry - before I show too much of my age (which is 29 of course) be aware that I was very young, but I do still remember Landry pacing the sidelines in a grey suit and usually a hat. I didn't know as much about football as I do now, but I knew that they won a lot and were everywhere - they were always on tv which is why I believe they were America's team.

...notice I said "were"...let's face it - they should no longer be considered "America's Team". I went to Wikipedia to do a little research (I don't know why I went there - it's a stupid concept when anyone can go in and change the info and we consider that a valid source) and thought that it was interesting to find that they are called that because of a "large fan base that lives outside its immediate local area" and the term actually came from an NFL highlight film. Wikipedia also references their national following being represented by sold out games, etc. Someone answer the question, "when was the last time that Lambeau Field wasn't sold out or season tickets weren't sold out?" There are people that have been on season ticket waiting lists for over a decade for the Pack!

Now, before you go accusing me of being a "homer" and thinking that my Pack needs to be dubbed "America's Team" you need to scroll back up and read. My point is that I don't think that anyone deserves that term anymore. I think that times have changed so it makes it even more difficult to name any one team "America's Team". We now have NFL Sunday Ticket or whatever your cable/satellite provider offers so that we can watch lots of games. We're no longer forced to watch whatever the network decides. Also, there are more networks showing NFL games and we now have ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN News...not to mention the internet (thanks, Al Gore - ha!).

I'm also not trying to belittle the Cowboys. I understand the incredible amount of success that they've had overall for over 40 years. They've been to "the big dance" and they're tied with two other teams for the most wins, but doesn't that further solidify my point? Why aren't those other teams (San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers) screaming to be called "America's Team" if they've won as many Super Bowls?

I love football - both college and NFL...this is my favorite time of year, but the NFL has transformed since I first started watching it as a kid with my dad - some good and some not so good. Maybe it's time that we accept that there isn't a true America's Team anymore...it's not our grandfather's NFL!