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Jimmy Johnson officially inducted into Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•12/30/23•

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jimmy johnson cowboys
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

On Saturday night, three decades after Jimmy Johnson left the Cowboys, the former head coach took his place beside the other Dallas greats.

And as he thanked the fans, he shouted his signature phrase. “HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYS!” Then he hugged two of his superstars — Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith — as the ceremony concluded.

But how about the 80-year-old Jimmy Johnson?

Dallas owner Jerry Jones finally relented and allowed Johnson to be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor. A sell-out crowd at AT&T Stadium celebrated this head coach and native Texan who won a pair of Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993.

Players from both those teams were on the field. So were the most memorable Cowboys who already were in the Ring of Honor. Bob Lilly, the first ever honoree, was on the the field, as were Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Drew Pearson, Mel Renfro and Randy White.

Cowboys owner told Johnson how much he inspired him

Jones took the microphone and directly addressed Johnson.

“How many times have I looked at you and you inspired me,” he said. .”Jimmy I want you to know, not only did you inspire your players and certainly you inspired the fans. But you need to hear me say how you personally inspired me.”

He then proclaimed “for now and forever more, Jimmy Johnson is going to be here, and rightfully so, welcome to the Ring of Honor.”

Johnson told the crowd: “people have asked what this means to me. I’m so very, very proud. Proud of what we accomplished. When I say we, I mean a lot of people.”

He continued: “Thank you, Jerry Jones, for bringing me to the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry and I worked shoulder to shoulder. We took a team that was worst in the NFL. And in a short time, we won Super Bowls and became he team of the 90s. I want to thank some outstanding assistant coaches and some great players

The Cowboys prepared a video salute that played before Johnson addressed the crowd. Check it out. If you’re a Dallas fan, it’s guaranteed goose bumps.

Johnson is the 24th person inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor and only the second head coach. Tom Landry, the first-ever Dallas coach, was the first. Johnson’s name now is across the stadium from Landry’s spot. Jones selected Landry for the Ring of Honor in 1993. Landry died in 2000.

Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989. He fired Landry and brought in Johnson, who then was the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. After going 1-15 in the first season, Johnson helped mold the Cowboys into one of the best teams in the NFL. He won Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993, then left Dallas. It took decades for Jones to forgive him.

And after the Johnson induction, the attention returned to the game. The Cowboys and Lions are two of the best teams in the NFC. Both are fighting for prime playoff seeding.