The 10 Stages Of Being A Dallas Cowboys Fan

Because cheering for America's Team has its ups and downs. And downs.

STAGE ONE: EXCITEMENT

Via tumblr.com

Football season is here, the 'Boys are back in town and it's time to reawaken the dynasty!

Via tumbler.com

It's time for Jerry World.

Via tumblr.com

Fans!

And Cheerleaders!

STAGE TWO: OPTIMISM

Via tumblr.com

Hey! We're not looking too shabby.... See? I told you this was OUR season!

Via tumblr.com

Even Jerry is in a good mood.

WE'RE GOIN TO THE SHIP!

STAGE THREE: DRAMATIC DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Via tumblr.com

No. no. nonononononono.

Via tumblr.com

W... wh...why are we losing all of a sudden?

Via tumblr.com

Jerry is no longer the happy rapping GM we saw in the Papa Johns commercials.

STAGE FOUR: DENIAL

Via tumblr.com

People tell us the Cowboys will not make the playoffs once again... but it's only a few losses, we'll be just fine.

STAGE FIVE: ANGER

Via tumblr.com

IT'S ALL ROMO'S FAULT! IT'S ALL JERRY'S FAULT! IT'S ALL JASON GARRET'S FAULT! IT'S ALL OUR DEFENSE' FAULT!

WHAT IS HAPPENING?!!?!

STAGE SIX: DEPRESSION

Via guyism.com

When Sean Lee gets de-cleated, your soul gets de-cleated.

Via tumblr.com

When Tony gets pummeled, your heart gets pummeled.

Via tumblr.com

You begin to feel like you're watching the ending to a tragic rom-com minus the happy ending.

Via tumblr.com

You feel helpless.

You feel hopeless.

STAGE SEVEN: FALSE HOPE

Via tumblr.com

... but wait a second...

Via tumblr.com

WE. JUST. SCORED. A. TOUCHDOWN.

Via tumblr.com

And just when they're back on their feet... they hit a massive roadblock, most likely in the form of a wide-right field goal miss, a miserable interception or possibly a tear-jerking fumble.

STAGE EIGHT: SEVERE DISAPPOINTMENT

Via 4gifs.com

We miss the playoffs. Nay- even worse, we miss the wild card spot.

Via tumblr.com

So close.

STAGE NINE: BITTERNESS

Via tumblr.com

Via tumblr.com

Houston Texans fans start bragging about their record.

Via tumblr.com

You want to punch anyone who mentions the playoffs or asks "What happened to the Cowboys this season?"

Via tumblr.com

You deal with major FOMO whilst watching fans from other teams enjoy themselves throughout the playoffs.

STAGE TEN: ACCEPTANCE

Via tumblr.com

This is just how it is.

Via tumblr.com

There's nothing you can do.

Via tumblr.com

It's part of being a Cowboys fan.

BUT THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR.

Via tumblr.com

GO COWBOYS