Big Dave Jones' story is one of persistence and barbecue sauce.
Jones had opened a restaurant, Li'l Red Barbecue Smokehouse, in Dallas in the early 1990s when it occurred to him the business really would take off if he somehow became affiliated with his favorite sports franchise, the Dallas Cowboys.
So one day he took a sample platter to team headquarters hoping a nibble would get him in the door. He was turned away, but kept showing up with an assortment of ribs, brisket and pulled pork as well as a bottle of his custom-made sauce.
On the 27th try, the security guard finally broke down and had a taste.