One of the top Dallas Cowboys insiders in media is calling it quits in preparation for a big career change.
Taking to X on Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News announced that he is stepping down from his role in order to complete a move to Washington, D.C. with his family. In his message he expressed gratitude to the Cowboys and everyone else who has been a part of his life in his five years in the role. Gehlken also made it clear that he doesn’t intend to become a reporter for a new team at this time.
It is time.
The past five years covering the Dallas Cowboys have been the most gratifying of my career. I relished reporting on a franchise whose media coverage is arguably the most saturated in sports; amid such noise, there still seemed space to create non-casual content for non-casual fans.
I am grateful to the Cowboys organization, including the players, coaches, executives and PR staff, for their trust along with my colleagues at The Dallas Morning News. The collective support and confidence allowed for storytelling that, I hope, reflected my curiosity, objectivity, and above all, seeing players as people first.
But it is time to walk away.
My wife and I welcomed our first child last year. We want to raise our family around family, a dynamic that awaits us in Washington, D.C.
Across 15 years in journalism and 14 as an NFL reporter, I have covered the Chargers, Raiders and Cowboys. The prospect of reporting on a fourth club at this time feels safe and static. I want to challenge myself. I want to grow. I hope to find an organization in D.C. that believes in me enough to offer that opportunity. I am willing to learn and unwilling to fail.
Fans and colleagues in the comments of Gehlken’s messages have been wishing him well:
“Good luck! You had an awesome run,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport replied.
“I’m going to miss seeing you around and our life chats/ advice sessions between all of the craziness. Always wishing you and the family nothing but the best with everybody! I have no doubt that you’ll land on your feet doing something incredible,” another user wrote.
“Good luck Michael! You will be missed,” Antwan V. Staley of the New York Post wrote.
We all wish Gehlken well in his future endeavors.
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