Within professional sports and within advertising itself, there are logos that are simple and logos that are much more complex and nuanced. The simpler logos try to incorporate themselves into the mind-space of viewers by being as easy to recognize and draw (at least mentally) as possible.

Original and Primary Cowboys Logo Timeline

Dallas Cowboys Logos and Uniforms from this era

But few logos have the simplicity of the five-point star of the Dallas Cowboys. Formed in 1964, the Cowboys (formerly known as the Steers and the Rangers) have a logo that represents Texas’ tradition of independence and spirit. “Americas Team” has had a remarkably stable tradition of their logo. Though their team has gone through its ups and downs, the steadfastness of the logo remains a tradition of the NFL.

Cowboys Logo History and Description

When Dallas joined the league in 1960, the logo was that of a five-pointed star. And that’s how it has stayed throughout the franchise’s existence. The only update to the star has been a white border, which was added in 1964. Even the teams script logo has remained static throughout the years.

The star itself is representative of Texas’ history and its motto as the “Lone Star State”. The five-point star was even incorporated into Jerry Jones expansion Arena Football League Team, the Dallas Desperados (which folded in 2009). It is a very simple logo and as such is easily remembered by the public. Few can not draw the symbol of the logo in a recognizable form. This gives the brand the ability to easily penetrate into the minds of viewers and stick, which a much more complex brand might have a tougher time doing.

The logo also have expansive powers beyond its state. The script logo, while more complex, also enforces the Cowboy theme by using a font that is easily associated with the Old West. This gives it more of a regional feel than its name would suggest. And beyond that the Cowboys have long branded themselves as “America’s Team”. The single star, while representing the lone star of Texas, could also be interpreted to be one of the 50 stars of the flag of the United States.

And until recently the helmet colors incorporated red, white, and blue stripes down the center of the helmet. All of this reinforced the image of the Cowboys as a national, as opposed to local or even regional, team. While other efforts (such as playing one of the two annual Thanksgiving Day football games for several years) helped, the logo reinforced all of those images constantly in the minds of football fans everywhere.

Dallas Cowboys Logo Summary Analysis

Very few logos have the simplicity of the Dallas Cowboys, and few have its lasting impression. But like other “simplistic” logos, the Dallas star transmits images beyond what can be taken at face value.

Those symbols leave an image of the team not only as a Texas team or even a regional team, but that of America’s Team. Though few know what will happen during the next season, you can be sure the star will remain, unchanged.

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