Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy reveals locker room moment after beating Steelers that says volumes about him

Just about every NFL team does some sort of "game ball" mini ceremony after earning a win. Usually, the head coach will simply give a ball to a player that had an outstanding performance or made some sort of history. Call it a trophy or acknowledgement for a job well done.

For the Dallas Cowboys, the game ball winner had a bit of a twist following a hard fought Sunday Night Football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers: Instead of head coach Mike McCarthy handing the game ball to a player, it was the other way around.

The Cowboys handed their coach the game ball, via Clarence Hill Jr. from All City DLLS:

The Cowboys head coach told reporters it was the first time ever in his head coaching career that he's received a game ball from players. It carries some meaning, too: McCarthy is from Pittsburgh, so winning in his hometown for the first time in his NFL career in dramatic fashion certainly was meaningful on a personal level.

McCarthy gets criticized for a lot, fairly and unfairly. His play-calling is consistently under the microscope and the run game does little to keep the fans happy (although it was much better today thanks to a great performance from Rico Dowdle). But if there's one thing you can say about him as he continues to coach on a contract year is his players have fully bought in. They are willing to fight for their coach. Him getting a game ball after last night's game says volumes about that still being the case.

Following a tough ending tot he 2023 NFL season, players were consistently backing McCarthy up in the media as many wondered if he'd be fired after losing to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs.

Naturally, he hasn't escaped from the conversation after a rocky 3-2 start to the 2024 campaign. However, it's clear his players are all in on him, which should give him some breathing room as the Cowboys head into the toughest stretch of this year's schedule.