Governor's Cup (Texas)

The Texas Governor's Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of the football game between the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. The two teams usually meet in the pre-season in years they do not play in the regular season. However in 2010 the teams faced each other in the pre-season and in week three of the regular season. The trophy really doesn't signify anything but bragging rights in the state of Texas. The Governors Cup history dates back to the days of the Houston Oilers. In 1991, after 13 straight games at Texas Stadium, the two teams went to a home-and-away format for the preseason. The two teams currently meet every fourth year in the regular season rotating home field advantage.

History
In 1965, the AFL Houston Oilers and the NFL Dallas Cowboys both drafted Oklahoma tackle Ralph Neely. The Houston Oilers sued the Cowboys over services of Neely. In the settlement of the case, the Oilers received three Cowboy draft picks in addition to a cash settlement. The Cowboys also agreed to play five preseason games, three in Houston, against the Oilers. Thus began the Governor's Cup series, a Texas tradition created by franchise free agency.

In 1992 the Cowboys and Oilers met twice in the preseason. The first game took place in Tokyo as part of the NFL's American Bowl series, and the second meeting in Dallas for the Governor's Cup.

The 1994 Governor's Cup was not actually played in Texas but in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca as part of the American Bowl series. As a result of Estadio Azteca's unusually large seating capacity, a league record 112,246 fans watched the Oilers shut out the Cowboys, 6-0 on August 13, 1994.

Governor's Cup win/loss to 1996
Up to the 1996 season, the Dallas Cowboys had won 18 of 31 Governor's Cup meetings leaving the Houston Oilers with 13 Governor's Cup wins.

Governor's Cup results since 2002
As of 2010 the Cowboys lead the Governor's Cup 5-4. The Cowboys lead 2-1 in regular season and are tied 3-3 in the preseason.

The 2009 preseason meeting in Houston was canceled due to a scheduling conflict involving the Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington. The 2011 meeting was canceled again due to scheduling.