Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones helped rookie linebacker Shemar James get home in time for the birth of his first child (Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James had more on his mind than football during the team’s Week 4 game against the Houston Texans. The Cowboys won 34-30, yet the result was only part of the story. Because she wanted him to remain focused on the game, lewis had gone into labor before kickoff but waited until halftime to tell him.
His wife, Erica Lewis, had gone into labor, and James learned the news at halftime. He stayed on the field and finished the game, but getting home quickly became his priority. Owner Jerry Jones offered James a seat on the Jones family’s private plane, helping him reach his wife in time for the birth of their first child. James was facing a race against time after learning that his wife was in labor.
James spoke about the experience with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Tuesday, October 6.
“Shemar James’ wife is in labor and he’ll be flying home with the Joneses, and that’s pretty cool,” Schottenheimer said. He said the help showed that the organization cared about players beyond their work on the field. “It was cool to see that they care more about just football,” James told the publication. “My wife went into labor before the game, and she didn’t want to tell me until halftime,” he said.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared the news with reporters after the game, making clear that James was already on his way home while others were still leaving the field. “Praying for an easy delivery, and God is good. “They care about our personal lives. That meant a lot to me that the Jones family was able to allow me to get on the plane and have the Uber there waiting at the hangar to make it to my wife. “She wanted to keep me focused on the game. It was kind of surreal. When I heard it, I was like, I got to go right now, but [Cowboys Director of Security] Cable Johnson and the support staff were so helpful.”