Tom Landry has lost his job but not the respect of fans.
Landry for 29 years until last weekend was the only coach the Dallas Cowboys ever had. But then owner Bum Bright sold the team to Arkansas oilman Jerry Jones and Jones named University of Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson to replace Landry.
The firing stirred up strong emotions across Dallas, primarily because news of the impending sale leaked out before the papers were signed, leaving Landry twisting in the wind before Jones could seal the deal and formally notify the coach he was being fired.
One of the most unique reactions came from 90-year-old Renee Wurlitzer of Dallas, who rented a high profile billboard at the downtown end of the Dallas North Tollway to praise Landry and take a shot at Texas Gov. Bill Clements.
'Exchange the Fat Cat for the Hat -- Tom Landry for governor!' the billboard says. It refers to the characteristic headgear that is a Landry trademark.
Another group backing Landry for governor was hastily organized in Denton, 30 miles north of Dallas. Kim Jindra and Milton Babb, Denton Republican activists, started the group to draft Landry into politics and to run for governor.
'He has 29 years of management experience, unquestioned integrity, and a reputation for honest hard work with no nonsense,' Jindra said.
Babb added Landry has the all-important name identification required for a statewide race. 'And now he's a free agent,' Babb said, using sports terminology.
Babb said he hopes the group can raise money by selling 'Landry for Governor' bumper stickers, and use that money to start a campaign to draft Landry.
From out of state, Dale Thompson, 36, of Normon, Okla., told United Press International he plans to place a wreath with a star (the Cowboy symbol) in it at Texas Stadium Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
'We don't have a pro team up here, so I kind of followed them all my life,' Thompson said. 'I just wanted to show my thanks. I thought I'd do it alone. If somebody wants to join in, fine.
'He doesn't know me and I don't know him. He was just a good coach and a kind of honorable guy. I'd like to just express some gratitude toward him as a fan.'
Dave 'Kidd' Kraddick, a disc jockey at Dallas radio station KEGL, wrote a song called 'The Landry Years.' Local singer Chris Roberts recorded it and the station said they had 500 calls requesting the song in three hours on the first morning it was available.
The song begins:
'The Landry Generation is stepping out the door
'He goes with some frustration, but he's seen it all before
'He's been a Dallas hero for 29 long years
'He gave us all the good times, and now it gives us tears
'I just wish we could have told him .. in the Landry Years.'
