Jimmy Johnson’s Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray
The MMQB presents NFL 95, a special project running through mid-July detailing 95 artifacts that tell the story of the NFL, as the league prepares to enter its 95th season. See the entire series here.
Anyone who watched a Cowboys game in the early 1990s surely pondered this critical question: Does Jimmy Johnson’s hair move? That shiny swirl atop his head seemed to be locked in place—an all-too-appropriate symbol of those flashy, cocksure Cowboys teams he coached. Though he couldn’t take it with him on the sideline, the coach was known to carry a canister of Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray in his briefcase anywhere he went.
Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989 and quickly replaced Tom Landry with Johnson, expecting Johnson’s success at the University of Miami to transfer to the NFL. The Cowboys stockpiled talent, drafting Troy Aikman in ’89 and Emmitt Smith a year later to form “The Triplets” along with receiver Michael Irvin. The Cowboys, America’s team, won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993, but the power struggle between Jones and his coach resulted in Johnson’s resignation after Super Bowl XXVIII. The Cowboys won one more championship with Johnson’s building blocks, in 1995; Johnson’s coaching career, meanwhile, ended in ’99 after four unspectacular seasons with the Miami Dolphins. But Johnson’s perfectly coiffed mane, now silver, is still seen every Sunday in his role as an analyst for FOX Sports.
— Jenny Vrentas
Jimmy Johnson’s Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray
Even during a day at the beach, Johnson's hair remains flawless. (Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated)
Even during a day at the beach, Johnson's hair remains flawless. (Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson and Jerry Jones during their first offseason together, talking outside the Cowboys' Valley Ranch training facility in March 1989. (Craig Molenhouse /Sports Illustrated)
Johnson and Jerry Jones during their first offseason together, talking outside the Cowboys' Valley Ranch training facility in March 1989. (Craig Molenhouse /Sports Illustrated)
Johnson during his first season as Cowboys head coach, in 1989. To the left is future Cleveland Browns and University of Miami head coach Butch Davis, then the defensive line coach. (Tony Tomsic/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson during his first season as Cowboys head coach, in 1989. To the left is future Cleveland Browns and University of Miami head coach Butch Davis, then the defensive line coach. (Tony Tomsic/Sports Illustrated)
Old-school Jerry World. Johnson relaxes with a paper during his first season in Dallas, in 1989. (Craig Molenhouse/Sports Illustrated)
Old-school Jerry World. Johnson relaxes with a paper during his first season in Dallas, in 1989. (Craig Molenhouse/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson was all smiles in the Cowboys' war room the day before the 1991 draft. Among their 18 picks that weekend were Russell Maryland, Alvin Harper, Erik Williams, Leon Lett and Larry Brown. (Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson was all smiles in the Cowboys' war room the day before the 1991 draft. Among their 18 picks that weekend were Russell Maryland, Alvin Harper, Erik Williams, Leon Lett and Larry Brown. (Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson watches over a practice during training camp in 1992. (Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
Johnson watches over a practice during training camp in 1992. (Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
Johnson and Jerry Jones celebrate after their win in Super Bowl XXVIII, their second title together. (John Iacono/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson and Jerry Jones celebrate after their win in Super Bowl XXVIII, their second title together. (John Iacono/Sports Illustrated)
A close-up through a fish tank in 1992. (Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
A close-up through a fish tank in 1992. (Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
Johnson's four-year stint with Dan Marino in Miami was forgettable. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated)
Johnson's four-year stint with Dan Marino in Miami was forgettable. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated)
