Jones: Gov. Christie 'part of our mojo'

IRVING, Texas -- Jerry Jones is a bit superstitious.

The Dallas Cowboys have not lost a game that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has attended this season, including Sunday's wild-card victory against the Detroit Lions.

So Jones wants Christie at Lambeau Field on Sunday when the Cowboys visit the Green Bay Packers.

"He's part of our mojo," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "I want him there all the way. I'll tell you, if he's got enough mojo to pull this thing out, he ought to be looked at as president of the United States."

Christie watched the second half of Sunday's win from Jones' perch at midfield and was shown hugging the Cowboys' owner, as well as executive vice president Stephen Jones, when Dallas sealed the victory. Christie also was in the locker room after the Cowboys clinched a playoff spot Dec. 21 against the Indianapolis Colts and again last Sunday.

Christie's trip to Sunday's game, however, has come under some scrutiny from New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles fans, who are upset he would be a fan of their NFC East rivals.

Christie also has been criticized in the political arena and was poked fun at on Tuesday by the Star-Ledger's Drew Sheneman, who parodied Christie's trip in an editorial cartoon playing off the 1970 adult film "Debbie Does Dallas." Star-Ledger columnist Steve Politi was among several Twitter users to post the image on social media.

Christie's spokesman Kevin Roberts told ESPN.com on Monday that Jones paid for Christie's trip, including travel and tickets, so no New Jersey taxpayer funds were used.

Roberts also said that Christie is allowed to take Jones up on his offer thanks to the personal friend exemption in the Code of Conduct for the New Jersey governor, which stated that the governor "may accept gifts, favors, services, gratuities, meals, lodging or travel expenses from relatives or personal friends that are paid for with personal funds."

A Wall Street Journal article published Tuesday pointed out that Jones is partners with the Yankees in Legends Hospitality, which is operator of the soon-to-be-opened One World Trade Center. That building will generate revenue for the Port Authority, which is run by Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Despite the brouhaha, Jones wants to be sitting next to Christie on Sunday.

"I don't know how we in any way can even think about going up there without having him with the way we're playing and the mojo," Jones said. "I know I'm doing everything else the same way I've been doing it for several weeks."

As of Tuesday afternoon, Christie had not decided as to whether he was going to travel to Green Bay for the game.

ESPN's Darren Rovell contributed to this report.