Hogue: Dad would have found joy in Cowboys smashing the Eagles

ARLINGTON – The offense was dominant, and the defense was destructive in a 33-13 victory for Dallas in front of 93,752 fans at AT&T Sunday night.

It was the kind of victory that would make my dad, Ron Hogue, smile.

Not because he was a big Cowboys fan, but like most of America, he intensely disliked anything Philadelphia.

While he grew to secretly become a Cowboys’ fan during his 50 years in Texas, hating Philadelphia was organic for the man who grew up as a Steelers and Pirates/Cleveland Indians fan in the small town of Cochranton, Pa., some two hours north of Pittsburgh.

More: Cowboys vs. Eagles Sunday Night Football highlights: Dallas scores pivotal win in NFC East showdown

Undoubtedly, he would enjoy Dak Prescott leading the offense to 24 points in the first half. With two passing touchdowns Sunday, Prescott tied Tony Romo for the longest multi-passing touchdown streak in franchise history (seven games). Sunday night was the first time the Cowboys offense scored on every drive of the first half this season.

Dad would’ve been impressed to see Brandon Aubrey set NFL history. Aubrey’s 60-yard field goal in the first quarter easily crossed the bar and is the longest field goal in the first quarter in NFL history. Aubrey added his name to the NFL record book again with a 59-yard field goal in the third quarter to become the first player to successfully make two field goals of 59 yards or longer in the same game.

My father witnessed multiple generational talents during his 85 years on Earth. We often spoke about the greatness of Micah Parsons, who joined Reggie White as the only two players to record 12 or more sacks in their first three NFL seasons with a sack in the second quarter. Parsons reportedly felt ill, but that didn’t keep him from terrorizing the Eagles on Sunday.

I owe a lot to my father, who died peacefully in the early morning hours of the day after Thanksgiving nearly three weeks ago. He helped bring me into this world and is the reason I didn’t drown during a baseball team party at the Archer City pool during the summer of my eighth-grade year. I had given up on life while trapped underneath multiple people during a greased watermelon game. But he noticed I was missing and came to my rescue.

My father never gave up on me. He was there during my three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic in the Army. Often, he would ask me about attacks on my location that he’d read about in the news before I had a chance to call home. As a veteran, he would remind me the Army hadn’t changed when I complained of late nights waiting for weapons to be counted in the arms room.

I credit my parents for my love of sports. Our household often had sporting events on the television. Growing up, our family was at every Holliday football home game and often attended home basketball games.

I fondly recall long road trips to follow the Eagles in the playoffs. As their children grew older, my parents transitioned from watching Holliday football and basketball to attending many Midwestern State games. My parents held season tickets for the Mustangs’ basketball teams for many years.

The longer my dad spent in Texas, the more we discussed the Cowboys. He showed his pride in my current profession by letting everyone he spoke to for over a few minutes know I covered the Cowboys' home games. He was incredibly proud of my work with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, and a copy of this year’s magazine is prominently displayed on the coffee table.

I don’t know if my father’s spirit had any sway in the beatdown the Eagles suffered at the hands of the Cowboys tonight, but I know he would be smiling. Not because he hated the Eagles but because he looked forward to reading what I wrote.

I’m gonna miss you, dad.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Dallas Cowboys wins over Philadelphia Eagles would have made dad happy