The Cowboys and Jerry Jones have been the butt of jokes for an eternity now. The Internet is filled with Dallas Cowboys memes that are equal parts ruthless and hilarious. Pundits, experts, reporters, and fans have taken the Cowboys for a laughter ride whenever they have felt sad. And now Cam Newton has taken a jab.

A discussion about Notre Dame on ‘First Take’ spurred a Cowboys analogy from the former Panthers QB. “Notre Dame is college football’s Dallas Cowboys“, Newton remarked. “Nobody wants to see them“. Sitting on the panel was former NFL safety Ryan Clark, whose son plays for Notre Dame. Ryan Clark took a more neutral stance on the comparison and shut Cam Newton down.

Yes, the Cowboys were once a great football team. Jerry Jones brought them from Bum Bright in 1989 and built a team that won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years (Super Bowls 27, 28, & 30). But then came the downfall. The football team from Dallas has yet to make a conference championship appearance since then. The previous 3 seasons have seen them win 12 or more regular season games only to lose it all in the Wild Card or the divisional playoffs.

Jerry Jones likely envisioned building a legacy around the franchise with a dynasty that would be remembered for its dominance. Instead, he finds himself fielding questions about his GM tenure and a legacy that sways between being good but never quite good enough. Cam Newton’s recent comments must have been a tough pill to swallow for the Cowboys fans. But when we take a closer look at the numbers, similarities emerge between them and beg a litmus test.

How right or wrong is Cam Newton’s analogy?

BCS National Championships with Florida (2008) and Auburn (2010). NCAA Championship with the Blinn College and a Heisman trophy in 2010. Throughout college, Cam kept making the right moves at the right time. He clearly understood the college football system and its intricacies. Given the pedigree and success, Cam’s statement demands a deeper look into the history books.

Notre Dame last won a championship in 1988, a year before Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys. Tim Brown brought home the last Heisman Trophy for them in 1987. The last NFL MVP for the Cowboys was Emmitt Smith, who won the accolade in 1993.

Now let’s talk high stakes games. The Fighting Irish Football has made their way to the CFP twice and the BCS once in 2007, only to have any hopes of winning championships being crushed by large margins. Currently, Notre Dame is 11-1 and looks on track to rub shoulders with the big boys. Notre Dame has been there, but just not quite there.

These parallels are hard to ignore. Both the Cowboys and Notre Dame have enjoyed legacies that have brought accolades, recognition, and respect. But in the modern era, both have failed to deliver when it has mattered the most.

Cam Newton might receive flak for his humiliation-laced comments but he may have subtly echoed the college football fan sentiments who are still finding the correct balance between legacy, logic, and merit.