America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys

Saddled with debt, Jerry Jones takes a gamble on an oil well. When it pays off, he buys the Cowboys — and stuns fans by firing a beloved coach.

As Dallas pins their hopes on quarterback Troy Aikman, Jones earns jeers for an unpopular trade. Still, he has an ace up his sleeve: Emmitt Smith.

The Cowboys take aim at the San Francisco 49ers, toppling an NFL dynasty. Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson remember their days playing together in college.

Back-to-back Super Bowl wins elevate the Cowboys to pop culture icons. Cracks form in the relationship between owner and coach, and a snub sparks ire.

Better team, bigger egos. As Jones and Johnson butt heads, the Cowboys eye a three-peat and welcome a controversial new coach.

The arrival of Deion Sanders adds sparkle to the Cowboys' star — and draws scrutiny from the NFL about Jones' use of cash and rogue marketing tactics.