Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has any number of reasons to be thrilled about the team's involvement in this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
It may give Dallas a chance to split training camp between San Antonio and Oxnard, a scenario that Jones has discussed at some length in the past; it gives the Cowboys an extra layer of visibility, which Jones seems to enjoy; and, of course, the team will be in town to see Emmitt Smith step into football immortality.
Jones believes that this could provide some inspiration for the current Cowboys, both young and old.
"It's always an honor to be selected to play in this game," Jones said, per the Dallas Morning News. "More importantly, I really believe that having our players share in Emmitt Smith's Hall of Fame enshrinement should serve as an inspiration to every man on our roster, whether it be a 10-year vet or a rookie that's never played in an NFL game.
"I can't think of a better way to start the season from a motivational perspective than wearing the same uniform as the NFL's all-time leading rusher."
As easy (and fun) it is to jab at Jones' almost perpetual enthusiasm, he may have a point in this case, particularly as the Hall of Fame weekend pertains to rookies, who may not have the strongest sense of football-centric history; on the other hand, Jones has miscalculated the effects of outside inspiration at least once before. See: The opening of Cowboys Stadium.
