Jimmy Johnson reacts to finally making Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

Finally, Jimmy Johnson can claim membership in the Cowboys Ring of Honor, the most exclusive club in Dallas franchise history. It only took three decades before owner Jerry Jones decided to include this coach who won two Super Bowls.

The induction is Saturday night during halftime of the Cowboys-Lions game at AT&T Stadium. The game, itself, should be the focus for everyone given its playoff implication. But Jones righting a wrong with Johnson probably is the best story. It’s certainly the most emotional one.

The two appeared together at a pre-game press conference. Johnson tried to put into words every sentiment he felt.

“I don’t think anybody can ever imagine what this means to me,” Johnson told reporters. “This was a special time in my life. This was something that paid dividends for me for the rest of my life. It’s something that I’m extremely proud of.”

On a day that Jimmy Johnson will be inducted into the @dallascowboys Ring of Honor, we look back on the career of the Hall of Fame coach. pic.twitter.com/DW7h1IRoNW

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 30, 2023

Then Johnson talked about what exactly he accomplished.

“We took over the worst football team in the NFL. The worst,” Johnson said. “Three straight losing seasons and a 3-13 record (in 1988). Not only did we win Super Bowls, but we were able to put together the team of the ‘90s. So, obviously I’m very proud of it. And I’ll be proud to have my name up in this stadium.”

Johnson’s name will go next to Darren Woodson, a former Cowboys great and finalist this year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’ll be directly across the field from Tom Landry, the only other coach in the Ring of Honor. There’s a symmetry to it. Johnson replaced Landry in 1989 when Jones bought the most storied franchise in the NFL.

Johnson went a woeful 1-15 in his first year with the Cowboys. But after the inaugural season, it didn’t take him long to turn the team back into the best in the NFL. He won two Super Bowls, then left the team after 1993.

It took Jones decades to forgive his old friend for leaving. The Cowboys owner talked about how the late Tex Schramm, the first Dallas GM, told him that the Ring of Honor needed to be exclusive. But surely, Johnson met that high bar. Even before this season started, Jones still wasn’t going to give the honor to Johnson. But in November, Jones had an official change of heart. That’s when he announced that the coach’s name would be grouped with the other Cowboys greats.

“Somebody could’ve said ‘Jerry, shouldn’t Jimmy have been in 15 years ago, 20 years ago?’ Jones told reporters. “I say this today, he’s there because it’s the right thing to do. He was always going in the Ring of Honor. Whether I put him in or one of my kids put him in.”