This isn’t a storyline borne from Greg Hardy’s acquisition, but one with roots at least two decades deep into that oil-tapped, Texas soil beneath Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ feet. A story that resurfaced Sunday as Dorothy Newton — the ex-wife of former All-Pro guard and Cowboy Nate Newton — revealed disturbing details of an abusive relationship. A relationship the Cowboys organization was aware had less-than-healthy dynamics.
In the lead up to the release of a new book titled “Silent Cry: The True Story of Abuse and Betrayal of an NFL Wife,” Dorothy Newton spoke to Sports Illustrated’s Maggie Gray. And in that interview, she revealed the repercussions she faced when one of her friends told someone in the Cowboys organization about Nate Newton’s abuse toward his wife.
“That’s when he came and he was extremely violent,” Newton told SI. “Probably the worst violence I ever experienced … That’s when he came home and shoved a custom-made kitchen table into my pregnant stomach.”
Newton said that the Cowboys knew about her husband’s abusive tendencies, if not the degree to which it manifested itself.
“I believe the Cowboys organization, I believe they knew that I was verbally abused,” Newton said. “I believe they know I was emotionally abused. I never shared the enormity of the physical abuse.”
That is until her friend alerted at least one person on the inside to the severity.
Nate and Dorothy Newton married in 1992. Dorothy says the abuse started from the beginning, with the physical abuse becoming an issue after the Cowboys first of three Super Bowl wins in the 90s. All the while, the Newtons maintained a relationship with Jerry Jones’ family, which is why she finds his recent and continuous support of Hardy disappointing.
“I am very disappointed, disheartened and discouraged about what’s happening, the things he is saying,” Newton told SI.
Nate Newton had a sterling on-field record. His 14-year career included a 12-year stay in Dallas from 1986 to 1998. In that time, he was selected to six Pro Bowls, twice named an All-Pro and earned a reputation of blocking prowess that earned him a spot on Pro Football Reference’s All-1990s 2nd Team. He was part of a great line — also featuring Larry Allen — that helped Emmitt Smith become the all-time leading rusher in NFL history.
Nate Newton’s post-NFL record is less sterling. In two separate 2001 arrests, Newton was caught with more than 350 combined pounds of marijuana, earning him a 30-month prison sentence in Texas.
Dorothy Newton’s book appears to be a revival of a story she told in book form in 2012, as well. Perhaps now, the climate of swirling domestic violence cases surrounding the NFL has expanded the conversation, allowing Newton a second chance to have her story heard.
