Picture this: It’s a chilly mid-December afternoon in Charlotte, the Dallas Cowboys are facing off against the Carolina Panthers, and Eric Kendricks is doing what he does best. Reading quarterbacks like bedtime stories. Panthers QB, Bryce Young, thinks he’s got wideout Adam Thielen open on third down. Nope. Jourdan Lewis tips it, Kendricks snatches it, runs it back a few yards, and just like that, Dallas is in field goal range. Cowboys go up 10-0. Textbook play. But the timing?

That’s where it gets wild and pretty much emotional. Because five days earlier, Eric wasn’t just watching game tape—he was watching his newborn daughter, Maxx, fight through two surgeries. But the veteran LB flew back to play, barely practiced, but suited up anyway against Carolina. That interception? Well, it wasn’t just any interception. It was a turnover, and somehow the guy found a little moment of control during chaos.

And here comes the interesting part—Kendrick then brought that ball home to her newborn daughter. Why? Because it meant more than any play he’s ever made. On Friday, the 33-year-old linebacker took to his Instagram and penned an emotional note for her. “Leaving my family after my daughter was born this season was one of the most conflicting times I have had as a man,” Kendrick captioned his post featuring the interception that he made, along with a couple of pictures of his daughter.

“The day after her second surgery, I got this 🏈 to bring home to her,” he added. “I understand that there are things in life far greater than football. But in this rare moment, I was given a small window to show up for both my family and my team. This interception means more to me than any other. It will always be about her. A reminder that some of the most meaningful moments are born from the hardest times. Also, that sometimes there is no easy way out.” 

Kendrick and his wife, Ally Courtnall, welcomed their second kid (son, Knight, was born in May 2023), a daughter, on December 10, 2024, morning, when he was playing for the Cowboys. They named her Maxx May Kendricks. While the specific medical reasons for her surgeries are not officially disclosed but as her mom, Ally, says, “This girl is resilient, fierce, and feisty,” it’s certain that Ally and Eric Kendricks’ daughter is healthy now.

And yes, the LB himself confirmed it. “Now, I’m holding my healthy baby girl while writing this -with tears in my eyes and a little perspective,” he added. “Enough emo 🖤. Love you, MAXX.” To make it more interesting, Kendricks gave a special shoutout to Nickelback, Jourdan Lewis, for the assist during the interception. “s/o to @jourdanjd_ for the assist,” he concluded.

But on the other side of the spectrum, while Eric Kendricks is still a free agent and looking for a new home, the Cowboys’ boss is making waves. Well, he has a knack for it, but this time, it’s all for different reasons.

When Jerry Jones generated a monster headline

Jerry Jones is no more making the Cowboys’ decisions? That’s what the biggest headline of the NFL has been in the past few days. As per early speculations and reports, “Jerry Jones no longer calling Dallas Cowboys shots after George Pickens trade.” But what followed once this news hit the headlines might have caught some attention.

See, Jerry’s jaw-dropping, internet-breaking decisions date back to… well, ever since he bought America’s team back in ’89. And it won’t be wrong to say that Jerry is probably the Cowboys’ dictator, in one way or another. For starters, take a look at his team’s decision. Whether ditching Tom Landry right after taking over the Cowboys’ reins to his breakup with Jimmy Johnson, these decisions were scrutinized.

Then his general manager role? Marketing and business moves? Media visibility and influence that make the Cowboys one of the most celebrated teams? You name it, and the Cowboys’ boss was behind all of it. But the team’s performance? Well, that’s where it gets messier. Because after winning three Super Bowls in the early 90s, the Cowboys have yet to make a deep playoff run. And it’s been three decades already.

But this offseason felt different. Recently, the Cowboys traded for wideout George Pickens. But according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram, Jerry didn’t make this decision. Nope. The decision was made rather by his son and the team’s Executive Vice President, Stephen Jones.

“I see some fans giving Jerry Jones a lot of credit for how the Cowboys attacked the offseason,” Harris said on X. “While he is the head honcho at the end of the day, Stephen Jones has taken on a bigger role this offseason and it’s been reflected in the team’s moves.” There you go. Ever since then, it’s been reported that Jerry might step down and Stephen will step up. But let’s not sugarcoat it.

According to a Cowboys’ source, Stephen will remain at the same position. Radio host Shan Shariff reported that Will McClay (key executive) might be the future GM of the Cowboys if Jerry steps down. But that’s not going to happen soon. Athlon Sports asked a Cowboys’ source about these speculations. Their response? “Shh,” the source said while laughing. “Don’t tell Jerry.” Classic. At the end of the day, the Cowboys still have Jerry Jones. And he isn’t going anywhere.