Mike McCarthy tells Dallas Cowboys in 1st meeting, “Everything we do is about winning”
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy finally addressed his veteran players as a group for the first time on Sunday during a 90-minute team meeting at the Ford Center in Frisco.
McCarthy made it clear that despite the unique circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the protocols put in place, the focus has not changed.
“Everything we do is about winning,” McCarthy said to the team via a video provided by the Cowboys.
The veteran players had to pass three COVID-19 tests, which the team began administering on July 28, before they were allowed in the building for the first time Saturday to take physicals and get their uniforms.
The team meeting was Sunday morning and it was the beginning of the first phase of their training camp program. The pre-training camp phase will be filled with meetings and strength and conditioning and it will run through Aug. 12. The traditional training camp phase will start Aug. 13 and run through Sept. 5.
But Sunday was about McCarthy meeting his players as a group at the facility for the first time — including quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, guard Zack Martin and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy — and making sure that all of the COVID-19 protocols were put in place.
The players all wore masks and observed social distance rules during the meeting in the stands, though they did gather in small groups as they were leaving the facility.
McCarthy said the team and league have made a tremendous investment in the coronavirus protocols and the NFL is still working to try to make things as safe as possible.
“It’s great to finally be able to stand in front of you and get started on this unique, very unique opportunity,” McCarthy said to the team, referring to the personal and professional challenges of dealing with COVID-19. And, as it applies to football, he said, “Obviously, anytime you got a chance to be part of any NFL opportunity is special.”
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
