It’s inevitable that every year there will be snubs from the Pro Football Hall of Fame selections. Cowboys fans know all to well that a deserving resume doesn’t always get a deserving player in. Take Drew Pearson for example. After retiring in 1983, he waited nearly 40 years to hear that he’d been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now with that wrong righted, Darren Woodson becomes the next Dallas Cowboys star that is feeling the burn of being snubbed from being honored with his own bust in Canton.
It becomes especially egregious when you consider that the Hall of Fame committee elected John Lynch on Saturday as well. Not that John Lynch was a bad player or not worthy of the Hall of Fame. It’s simply that Woodson’s production and success were instrumental in the Dallas COwboys dynasty of the 1990s.
Woodson’s play at the back end of the Cowboys defense was a huge reason for their success. Woodson was with the team for each of his three Super Bowls.
His ability to play more traditional safety roles as well as provide man coverage on slot wide receivers. Woodson was an important chess piece because of his versatility. What seems like commonplace now for safeties was a rarity in the 90s. Teams weren’t concerned about position flexibility back then. They just wanted good football players. Woodson would have been a similar player to Tyrann Mathieu.
Looking at how Woodson compares to John Lynch, it isn’t a stretch to argue that Woodson had the better career.
| Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Fumb | Fumb | Def | Def | Def | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Player | From | To | G | Solo | Ast | QBHits | TFL | Sk | FF | FR | Int | Yds | TD |
| 1 | John Lynch | 1993 | 2007 | 224 | 740 | 319 | 4 | 28 | 13.0 | 16 | 9 | 26 | 204 | 0 |
| 2 | Darren Woodson | 1992 | 2003 | 178 | 827 | 140 | 26 | 11.0 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 271 | 2 |
Lynch might have had more total tackles; however, he also played in 46 more games than Woodson. Woodson collected more tackles and more solo tackles than Lynch despite the disparity in games played. Woodson nearly tied Lynch in interceptions, sacks, and tackles for loss.
It makes no sense that Darren Woodson hasn’t been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet. His statistical resume combined with the three Super Bowls with at least a similar career to Lynch, if not better. As Woodson was a semi-finalist, it would indicate he was close to this year being the year. But as more players become eligible, the possibility exists that Darren Woodson could get lost in the shuffle.
Darren Woodson was a tremendous player for the Dallas Cowboys. Simply one of the best. Now, he’s the next great player for the Dallas Cowboys to endure an unjustified wait time on his entrance to the Hall of Fame. Here’s hoping his wait is just a fraction of what Drew Pearson’s was. There is zero reason Darren Woodson should not be in the Hall of Fame other than a Cowboys bias. Hopefully, this time, next year, the voters will have righted that wrong.
John, if I can steal some of your words that sums up Darren Woodson;
“Tremendous player”. “Simply one of the best”‘
One of my favorite players!
Loved watching Woody play! if you where in arms reach he would take you down. Not the hardest hitter but definitely the surest tackler!
Was a hard hitter, who said he wasn’t.
Darren woodson still remains has one of my favorite players of all time. He was the epitome of a true football player, competitor & had great sportsmanship. I want to see him make the pro football Hall of Fame & i would like to see petition started on his behalf.
Woodson was one of the best safeties in the game during his time. He bought stability and versatility to the secondary! Great player who got overlooked doing his playing days too!
There’s absolutely no good reason Darren Woodson is still waiting for his HOF enshrinement. His commitment to excellence on the field and rock solid character off it without a doubt add up to a Gold Jacket in my book. I can’t wait to see the unveiling of his bronze bust, hopefully next year!
Darren Woodson is my favorite player of all time. I’m 49 years old and a Carolina Panthers fan. When I started loving football when I was younger Carolina didn’t have a team so the cowboys where my favorite team. Through the years I got to see all the different personalities and abilities of players in the NFL through many years. Still till this day Mr Woodson stands out not only for his ability but for his character and heart. His passion for the game of football plus his sportsmanship make him a rare football player. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame not only by his play, 3 Super Bowl Rings and by what he represents which is everything the Hall of Fame of the National Football League is suppose to stand for!! Put the man in the Hall of Fame sports writers of America, do thing for once!!