The Dallas Cowboys Are Not 'America's Team,' New Data Reveals

For nearly five decades, the Dallas Cowboys have embraced the self-proclaimed title as "America's Team."

For a period in the 1990s, the Cowboys were arguably "America's Team," though the San Francisco 49ers would probably beg to differ. In any event, the moniker is one that the Cowboys and their fan base protect, which is why they might have something to say about new data that reveals the Cowboys are not "America's Team."

The Cowboys Rank ...

Matt Forrest, an author and geographer who works with spatial data and boasts nearly 35,000 followers on Instagram, conducted a survey that received nearly 19,000 responses.

Forrest scored every NFL team based on four different metrics:

Total number of responses, number of counties with the most popular team, total number of states with at least one fan base in that state, and the percent of counties more than 500 miles from their home stadium.

Based on those metrics, the Dallas Cowboys ranked 8th.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 15: A general view as Dallas Cowboys players run onto the field prior to the game at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Who Is 'America's Team?'

Based on Forrest's findings, the honor belongs to the Green Bay Packers, who are the favorite team in 92 counties.

Forrest says that the Bears are "the biggest paradox in the data," with the second-highest volume in the NFL with 690 responses, but only 12 states with a county win.

The findings are fascinating, and fans can still take part in the survey if they choose to participate. Fans who are only interested in viewing the NFL fan map can do so here.

Ronika Stone, wife of Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers, poses for a photo prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Interestingly enough, Forrest tells Men's Journal that the backlash has not been as intense, especially from ardent Cowboys fans, adding that there was "a bit" of blowback, "but nothing too crazy, mostly in the comments just saying that it was historically their title."

Forrest added, "Most of the [feedback] was from Bears fans since the Packers came out on top."

Da Bears, clearly, weren't having it.

source https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/the-dallas-cowboys-are-not-americas-team-new-data-reveals