A Surprise Guest: Cowboys Coach Brian Schottenheimer's Owl Encounter

When Nature Intrudes

Imagine being deep in a game-planning session when suddenly, an unexpected visitor makes an appearance. That's exactly what happened to Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer this past Thursday. While focused on the crucial red zone strategies for the upcoming game, Schottenheimer was taken aback by the sight of an owl flying around his living room.

The Backstory

The owl's surprise entrance occurred during a late-night work session around 10 PM, a time when most people would be unwinding after a long day. Schottenheimer shared, "I'm in game-plan meetings last night doing some red zone stuff, and I leave the meeting about 10 o'clock. And I go back to my phone, and I literally had 72 text messages on my phone. Seventy-two. I'm a popular guy, so that's nothing abnormal." But one message would change the course of his evening.

A Family Affair

His son had texted a vivid description: "Umm, there's a big hawk-sized bird in here," prompting Schottenheimer to confront this new reality. The family had a bit of a comedy of errors attempting to handle the situation. Schottenheimer called his supplies—his niece and soon-to-be nephew—who realized quickly that their knowledge of nature didn't quite extend to handling a wayward owl. His wife, probably rolling her eyes, ended up manning the evening at home while Schottenheimer resolved to stay at his condo instead.

“In typical coaching fashion, I called my wife and said, 'Honey, I'm going to stay at the condo tonight, you got this.'” - Brian Schottenheimer

The Exit Strategy

Eventually, with an animal control team summoned to the scene, the owl was safely removed from the house. Schottenheimer humorously remarked, "The owl has been returned to its safe domain. … They called animal control. A gentleman came with a net, like a pool net.' He even mused about potentially pursuing a side career in animal control after his experience. It's not every day an NFL coach finds wildlife in his home!

Good Omen or Just a Cute Story?

Superstition often weaves its way into the heart of sports culture, and Schottenheimer is not one to dismiss these signs easily. This owl, in his mind, heralded positive changes, especially as the Cowboys gear up for a big game against the Arizona Cardinals this coming Monday night. The Cowboys, currently sitting at 3-4-1, will need every edge they can get.

Schottenheimer's previous run-ins with wildlife this season provided comic relief amidst the typically high-stakes world of NFL coaching. Earlier, he faced a snake issue when two of his dogs were bitten by snakes, coinciding with the Cowboys' first win of the season against the New York Giants.

Conclusion

As we gear up for what's sure to be an electrifying matchup, Schottenheimer's owl may well go down in history as a symbol of resilience and unique charm surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Will this encounter indeed turn out to be the catalyst for good fortune? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: The heart of sports isn't just in the game itself but in these stories that bring us all closer together.