<P> They appear on television so often that their faces are as familiar to the public as presidents and movie stars . They are the Dallas Cowboys, "America's Team". </P> <P> The term is recognized and often used by media outlets, including ESPN, Yahoo!, HBO, and Sports Illustrated . </P> <P> Bob Ryan, now Vice President and editor - in - chief of NFL Films, coined this for the Cowboys while preparing and editing the team's 1978 season highlight film . He was quoted as saying: </P> <P> I wanted to come up with a different twist on their team highlight film . I noticed then, and had noticed earlier, that wherever the Cowboys played, you saw people in the stands with Cowboys jerseys and hats and pennants . Plus, they were always the national game on television . </P>

When were the cowboys named america's team