What does the new decal on the Cowboys helmet mean?

The Dallas Cowboys will open their first NFL game of November with the addition of  a specialized helmet decal honoring Medal of Honor recipients. 

Every November, the NFL honors American military veterans in a collection of month-long celebrations. The most obvious instance of this is in demonstrated by a wardrobe change: all month long, NFL coaches and staff don camouflage as they coordinate plays on the sideline.

This year, America’s Team is living up to their name by commemorating the nation’s heroes in a distinct way. Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Gehlken shared new details on how the Dallas Cowboys will be honoring military veterans during their Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos.

According to Gehlken, the Cowboys will honor eight Medal of Honor recipients during an on-field ceremony during halftime of their Week 9 game.

Like the annual November camouflage, the Medal of Honor commemoration will also extend to the Cowboys uniform. The Cowboys will be sporting a red stripe on their helmets in the first instance since 1976. The Cowboys helmet will also feature a Medal of Honor decal located on the back of the helmet.

Cowboys helmets honor U.S. military Medal of Honor recipients in Week 9 game

Beyond their famously patriotic nickname, the connection between the Cowboys and the U.S. military extends beyond the month of November. Cowboys EVP Charlotte Jones is leading the charge of the ongoing effort to construct the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Virginia.

Established in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration for valor in the United States. The Medal of Honor is depicted frequently in film, with real-life recipients having their stories portrayed such as Army Medic Desmond Doss in “Hacksaw Ridge.” In reality, more than 3,500 members of the military have received the distinguished medal for risking their lives for their compatriots.

The Dallas Cowboys detail their year-round support of the military beyond Veterans Day on their website, such as their Salute to Service campaign that dedicates a Cowboys home game to all five branches of the military.