Dallas Cowboys forced to make major change to AT&T Stadium pre-game tradition

Freddie Jones has been a staple at the beginning of Dallas Cowboys games throughout the years. Jones is the team’s official trumpeteer, performing the national anthem before kick-off. A unique way for the Cowboys to play the anthem and it’s become a beloved tradition.

However, somebody else will be out there moving forward. Jones has retired and will no longer be the one performing the anthem. However, the Cowboys still plan on having a former member of the military use a trumpet during pregame.

“Longtime #Cowboys national anthem trumpet performer, Freddie Jones, has retired,” Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said via X. “Moving forward, the national anthem will be performed by a different member of the military — still by trumpet.”

Exactly who will take over has not been revealed. Maybe we will find out on Saturday night as the Cowboys are set to host the Baltimore Ravens for a preseason game. AT&T Stadium will get its first action of the year after Dallas spent time out West in Oxnard.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb avoids fine for collission with official

According to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, the NFL will not fine Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb after an official ran into him during a preseason game. Watkins says if the moment occurred during the regular season, the scenario might be different. But Lamb will escape losing any money.

“FYI The NFL will not fine CeeDee Lamb for interfering with an official,” Watkins said via X. “Last week the side judge ran into Lamb while covering a pass play. Normally when a player not in the game bumps into an official it’s a fine. Not this time.”

During the game, the Cowboys were hit with a 15-yard penalty due to Lamb’s actions. He was getting ahead of a deep pass thrown by Joe Milton, believing he would connect for a long play. Lamb kept his head down and an official came crashing into him.

Clearly, Lamb isn’t used to watching games from the sidelines. In four of his five NFL seasons, Lamb has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards. In the 2024 campaign, Lamb tallied 1,194 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

More of the same is expected from him once the regular season begins. A healthy Dak Prescott will certainly help — hoping to have his quarterback on the field for all 17 games. Getting a new partner in crime in George Pickens will be a new dynamic to the Cowboys offense as well. Fun times appear to be ahead under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.