by BRAD TOWNSEND, Staff Writer btownsend@dallasnews.com , THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

In his usual folksy monotone, Phillips deadpanned: "I know you see me on the sidelines, and I don't look like I get excited and don't look like I get mad or whatever."

Suddenly, he started shouting. OK, it was mock-shouting, but it was loud.

"I'm excited about this Football season!" he hollered, drawing open-mouthed double-takes from many of the Cowboys players seated along the dais - and loud fan applause. "We're going to give y'all, and we're going to have the kind of team that I think everybody wants to see."

Taking the podium last, Jones became emotional while talking about the franchise's longtime association with Happy Hill Farm Academy, the 500-acre working farm for youth and the beneficiary of money raised from Thursday's luncheon and silent auction.

But Jones was just getting started. He became teary-eyed while acknowledging the 60-plus retired NFL players in the ballroom, including a Who's Who of former Cowboys .

Jones mentioned his humble circumstances as a youth and said his Football associations - first as a University of Arkansas player in the '60s and later his 20-year ownership of the Cowboys - instilled confidence and belief that anything's possible.

"Most of my life, I had my kneepads on, emotionally, trying to get in to see somebody to talk to them about something I was going to do for them," he said.

"Becoming associated with a team, and getting to do something with a team ... you can be more," Jones said.

Winners take a bow: Following tradition, the Cowboys' 2008 season award winners were announced at the luncheon.

Former Cowboy and special teams stalwart Keith Davis was named the Ed Block Courage Award winner.

Offensive tackle Marc Colombo and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. When Colombo took the microphone, he motioned to his fellow offensive linemen, who were giving him a standing ovation.

"They're over there giving me crap about this," he said, before thanking his wife, Jessica. "I figure I'll give her a shout-out because I don't know if I'll ever win this award again."

Tight end Jason Witten won the inaugural Playing It Forward Award for civic involvement and spirit of compassion.

All-time NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith presented former backfield mate Daryl Johnston with the Tom Landry Memorial Legends Award.

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