The red stripe on the Dallas Cowboys helmet is tied to a long-running tribute to the U.S. military and Medal of Honor recipients. The stripe first appeared in 1976 to commemorate the United States bicentennial, and it has reappeared in later years as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiatives. In recent seasons, the Cowboys have worn the red stripe during specific Salute to Service games, most notably during Monday Night Football or other designated dates, to honor service members and veterans.