This may sound like an oxymoron, but even as part owner of The Baltimore Sun, I have been a lifelong Cowboys fan.

I know. Blasphemy. Traitorous. Let me explain.

Growing up on the farms of South Carolina, football was a weekly tradition. Sundays were synonymous with family gatherings centered around our small television, where we would watch sports icons like “Bullet Bob” Hayes, whose Olympic speed and awesome athleticism would light up the screen. Football was a bond that brought us all together — a band of brothers.

But why the Cowboys? Was it their all-star roster? Their iconic, unforgettable moments, including the legendary “Hail Mary” against the Minnesota Vikings, coming just three days after Christmas in the 1975 NFC Divisional Round, where Roger Staubach executed a remarkable 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to secure victory? Could it be the sense of patriotism and spiritual feeling that the Cowboys embody as “America’s Team,” represented by the enormous blue and white star atop the Cowboys’ massive jumbotron, formerly one of the largest in the world, enabling God to observe America’s Team excel in what is arguably America’s sport?

To me, the Cowboys have always symbolized something beyond the boundaries of football — the principles of America. Cowboys were rebellious men who traversed the Wild West to pursue freedom, adventure and justice. The star, emblematic of our nation’s treasured flag, symbolizes our collective identity. The Cowboys embody the tenets of the American dream — victory goes not to the strongest but to brave hearts — David over Goliath.

This weekend, I will attend the Cowboys vs. Ravens game in Dallas. It will test my loyalties as never before. I am a co-owner of The Baltimore Sun, a newspaper renowned for its journalistic integrity in a city that bleeds purple and black for its Ravens. At the same time, the Cowboys are the team of my youth, the franchise I supported during my salad days and whose phenoms I admired.

You are probably wondering: Who am I rooting for? It may baffle even me. I cannot be entirely neutral.

This Sunday, I will take my seat enveloped by the recognizable sights and sounds of the most dynamic and entertaining stadium in football. I will see individuals from diverse backgrounds donning their blue and white Cowboys jerseys and memorabilia. At the same time, I will retain my profound respect for the spirit of Baltimore.

I am certain that when the Ravens score, I will be the sole Cowboys fan rising from my seat, celebrating. I may receive some disapproving glances and maybe even some boos. There’s a valuable lesson underscored in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters.”

I will support both the Cowboys and Ravens in my own way. I will admire each team’s talents, star players and gifted strategic thinking. I will deplore blunders when I see them. I will uphold my lifelong loyalty to the Cowboys while also recognizing the unique bond I share with the Baltimore Ravens, who embody a city I have come to cherish.

The true football fan appreciates the beauty of the game itself irrespective of the team — the thrill of competition, the display of skill and the fraternity that football creates among its fans. Life doesn’t need to be either or — Cowboys or Ravens.

So, what am I rooting for? I’m rooting for football. I’m rooting for the game that brings people together, whether those people are kids from a small town in South Carolina or those in a bustling city like Baltimore. I’m rooting for the stories, the memories and the camaraderie that make every Sunday feel like more than just game day.

Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun.