Four with former ties to the Cowboys are one step closer to etching their name forever.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 60 semifinalists in the seniors, coaches, and contributors category for the class of 2024 on Wednesday.
Among the nominees were Everson Walls, Dan Reeves, John Wooten, and Frank “Bucko” Kilroy.
Frank Kilroy & Dan Reeves
Kilroy is inside the coach/contributor category, as is Reeves, who spent his entire eight seasons as a player with the Dallas Cowboys.
After playing, Reeves became an assistant coach with Dallas from 1972 until 1980. He then became a head coach for three teams, winning coach of the year twice in 1993 and 1998.
Kilroy was the general manager for the Patriots from 1979 to 1982 and the vice president from 83 to 93.
His only tie to Dallas was his time spent in player personnel and scouting from 1965 to 1970.
John Wooten
Wooten was the director of pro scouting for the Cowboys from 1975 to 1991 and created player development programs for the NFL in 1991.
He would move into the Eagles' front office, then the Baltimore Ravens.
He became the Assistant Director of Pro and College Scouting.
Everson Walls
Walls has been here before. He gets another chance to make the HOF.
Walls made three first-team All-Pro teams and four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in interceptions three different times.
He was in this same situation last season but did not get enough votes to move on.
Walls signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1981, and he and Ed Reed are the only two players in NFL history to lead the league in interceptions in three separate seasons.
The 12-person selection committee will now consider the candidates and vote to send 12 seniors and 12 coach/contributors to the next stage, which will be announced on July 27th.
Walls has a good enough resume to get in, but his time might be running out.
If he doesn't get into the Hall of Fame, I hope Jerry inducts him into the Cowboys' Ring of Honor one day.
I understand that Walls has an easier chance because of this category, but let me make something clear.
The fact that Darren Woodson isn't in the hall makes me sick and makes it hard to trust the voters will get it right every year.
I hope he makes the cut next weekend and is among the final 12, but we will see.
Other Cowboys News
The Cowboys are set to report to Oxnard, California, on July 24. This will be the 17th time in Oxnard.
The deadline for the Cowboys to sign a long-term extension to franchise tag running back Tony Pollard is July 17.
I have not heard anything about a movement toward a deal, so I don't see it happening.
You let him return from that injury, allowing you to see what he is worth next off-season.
It is very slow in the middle of July, but things are about to pick up when training camp and preseason football start.
I look forward to the battle for the No. 4 wide receiver spot and who will assume the role as the other linebacker.
