Three decades after his last coaching stint with the team, Jimmy Johnson is receiving the prestigious honor of being enshrined into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor.
Expressing his profound emotions, Johnson remarked, “I don’t think anybody can ever imagine what this means to me. This was a special time in my life. This was something that paid dividends for me for the rest of my life. It was something that I’m extremely proud of.” Reflecting on the remarkable transformation, he added, “We took over the worst football team in the NFL. The worst. Three straight losing seasons… Not only did we win Super Bowls, but we were also able to put together the team of the ’90s. So obviously, I’m very proud of it and proud to have my name up in the stadium.”
Before the Saturday kickoff between the Cowboys and the Detroit Lions, Johnson, alongside Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, held a pre-induction news conference. At halftime, Johnson joined the exclusive ranks as the 24th member of the organization to be honored.
During the induction ceremony, Jones shared his admiration for Johnson, stating that he “inspired” him. Johnson, surrounded by many of his former players on the field, received heartfelt hugs before being adorned with the navy blazer by Emmitt Smith. In his gratitude, Johnson thanked Jones for bringing him to the Cowboys, his former players and assistants, his family, and the fans. Ending his speech with a familiar rallying cry, he exclaimed, “How ’bout them Cowboys?” to the enthusiastic cheers of the 90,000-strong crowd.
Johnson’s coaching record of 44-36 over five seasons with the Cowboys includes a remarkable turnaround from a 1-15 record in 1989, his first year, to consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1992 and ’93. Now, his name rightfully joins the illustrious list in the Ring of Honor, alongside the five players he coached during that era: Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, and Charles Haley.
Despite a falling-out with Jones just two months after the second Super Bowl win, marked by a $2 million severance and the arrival of Barry Switzer as his replacement, Johnson emphasized the historic collaboration with Jones. Addressing past tensions, he stated, “The two of us working together made history… We were always on the same page.”
The long-awaited induction into the Ring of Honor had been a source of contention among fans and former players. However, Jones clarified that Johnson was always destined for this honor, emphasizing, “He’s there because it’s the right thing to do.” Jones acknowledged that Johnson’s place in the Ring of Honor was inevitable, irrespective of when it occurred, underscoring the enduring legacy of their historic partnership.
