Few figures in sports carry the authority to compare greatness across eras quite like Jerry Jones. But when the longtime Dallas Cowboys owner recently watched rising IndyCar star Pato O’Ward compete, he didn’t just see speed on the track. He saw something deeper. An edge, a composure under pressure that reminded him of one of football’s most electrifying personalities.
Jones drew a striking parallel between O’Ward’s “controlled intensity” and the unique presence that defined Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. For Jones, the comparison wasn’t about the sport itself but about the mindset that separates the good from the unforgettable: the ability to harness emotion, stay poised in big moments, and perform with a confidence that commands attention.
Jerry Jones Sees a Deion Sanders–Like Aura in O’Ward’s Controlled Intensity
“The controlled intensity,” Jones said when asked, “What do you notice out of the Pato O’Ward as someone that’s seen great athletes for so many years?”
The owner of the Cowboys added, “You can feel it, boy. And he’s driving for the marbles. Everything, every motion he has looks effortless. It looks natural. Deion Sanders used to say it’s natural. No, Deion worked at every nuance of it because he was intense and wanted to win. And that reminds me of what I see in these great athletes that are driving these cars. It’s all on the line for.”
O’Ward has been in the news recently because the IndyCar star has quickly become one of the faces of the series, especially as the championship begins receiving more mainstream attention in the United States. His aggressive driving style, race-winning ability, and charismatic personality have made him one of the most marketable drivers in the IndyCar Series.
That growing popularity is also why broadcasters from Fox Sports brought him up while interviewing Jones. With Fox recently becoming the primary television partner for IndyCar, the network has been promoting its biggest personalities to a wider sports audience. Since Jones is one of the most recognizable figures in American sports through the Cowboys, reporters used the opportunity to ask him about O’Ward and his rising profile.
In short, O’Ward was part of the conversation because Fox is actively spotlighting IndyCar’s biggest stars, and Jones’ opinion carries weight across the sports world. The exchange helped create a crossover moment between the NFL and IndyCar, bringing more attention to O’Ward as one of the series’ most exciting drivers.
O’Ward has emerged as one of the most successful and consistent drivers in the IndyCar Series in recent seasons, which is why his name continues to draw attention in sports coverage.
Driving for Arrow McLaren, O’Ward delivered the strongest season of his career in 2025 by finishing second in the championship standings behind Alex Palou. His campaign included multiple race victories and a long list of top-five finishes that kept him firmly in the title fight throughout the year.
O’Ward’s performances have also translated into an impressive career résumé in IndyCar. Since joining the series, he has won multiple races and earned dozens of podium finishes while consistently qualifying near the front of the grid.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
That level of consistency has established him as one of the championship’s most exciting drivers and a regular contender for victories on both street circuits and ovals.
Some of his most notable recent successes came during the 2025 season when he captured key victories, including a win at Iowa Speedway during his 100th IndyCar start and another dramatic triumph at the Toronto street race.
Those results helped cement his reputation as one of the sport’s premier talents and kept him in the conversation as a serious challenger to Palou for the title. Because of that momentum, O’Ward entered the 2026 season as one of the drivers expected to compete for the championship again.
His aggressive driving style, combined with the steady progress of the Arrow McLaren program, has kept him regularly near the front of the field and made him one of the most talked-about figures in IndyCar right now.
