This week, the Dallas Cowboys returned home from training camp in California.

They started practice at their headquarters in Frisco, where people started lining up, I swear, at 3:30 a.m. to watch an 11 a.m. practice.

One couple farther back in line said they spent about a week in California. Then they went home to Mississippi.

Then, I swear, they left the night before and drove to Frisco so they could be in line by 6.

A common theme while I was talking to fans was how I had grown up in Ohio. The idea of getting this excited for preseason workouts was completely foreign to me.

It was also completely foreign to me to hear people debating whether the Cowboys would win the Super Bowl.

Fans starting to come in for the Cowboys’ 1st practice in Frisco. One says, “I think this is the year we get back to the Super Bowl.” His friend said he says that every year. “Yeah, but this time, it’s for REAL.” pic.twitter.com/mNzBt6zdZw

— Alan Scaia (@scaia) August 20, 2019

Back in Dayton, instead of getting in line to see a preseason workout, it was more common to realize the season had already started, the Bengals were already 0-4, and you couldn’t watch the game on TV because it wasn’t a sell out. You also wouldn’t drive across the country to see them practice. You’d yell, “I ain’t goin’ to a Bengals game! Cincinnati’s, like, 45 minutes away!”

But Stephen Jones spoke during the opening ceremonies for the practice. He explained that Jerry couldn’t come because he was in Chicago on official business, but he was going to pick up Zeke on the way home.

The mayor of Frisco spoke during the ceremony, too. He delivered a more powerful message about The Star volunteering to host Plano Senior High School’s football game against El Paso Eastwood High School. The game was going to be cancelled because of security concerns, but Frisco volunteered to host it at The Star.

The mayor said Frisco can use something as simple as sports to build kids’ values and teach them life lessons about overcoming adversity. Jeff Cheney said Frisco will be proud to be the official home of El Paso, even if just for one night.

It was a powerful message.

And any message is made even more powerful with a couple of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on stage with you to lead the crowd in cheering you on.

I may start bringing some cheerleaders out with me so I have some back-up whenever I’m trying to make a point about something.

I would point out, though, that Zeke does not have a shuffle. That’s where Cincinnati has one up on the Cowboys.