These Cowboys belong on the Ring of Honor

Apr 1, 2023
28
4 mins read
Bob Lilly's name on the Ring of Honor inside Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.

There are 22 names adorning the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor — eleven on the offensive side, eight on defense, and three non-players. They are (in order of induction):

  • Quarterbacks: Don Meredith, Roger Staubach, and Troy Aikman.
  • Running backs: Don Perkins, Tony Dorsett, and Emmitt Smith.
  • Receivers: Bob Hayes, Michael Irvin, and Drew Pearson.
  • Linemen: Rayfield Wright and Larry Allen.
  • Defensive linemen: Bob Lilly, Randy White, and Charles Haley.
  • Linebackers: Chuck Howley and Lee Roy Jordan.
  • Defensive backs: Mel Renfro, Cliff Harris, and Darren Woodson.
  • Non-players: Tom Landry (Head Coach), Tex Schramm (General Manager), and Gil Brandt (VP Player Personnel).

Brandt was the last person added to the Ring of Honor in 2018.

In looking back at the top four at every position in Cowboys history recently, we began to notice those players who are not yet in the Ring of Honor.

Here are the next five men whose names should be added:

Jimmy Johnson

Seriously, Jerry Jones needs to build himself a big ol’ bridge and get over it.

Jimmy Johnson delivered *three Super Bowls with the team he built in the 1990s. He revitalized a franchise in decline and set the standard going forward.

Jimmy Johnson's Football Legacy Secured With Hall of Fame Induction

Did we mention that he’s responsible for three Super Bowl wins in four years?

Jones promised back in 2021, shortly after Johnson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to put Johnson’s name up there where it belongs. It has been nearly two years since he made that promise.

He needs to keep it.

Jerry is 80 years old. Jimmy is 79. It is far past time to quit fooling around and pay the man the respect he earns while he’s still around to enjoy it.

Johnson needs to be the next name added. This year, Jerry.

Ed “Too Tall” Jones

Randy White and Harvey Martin got all the press, especially during the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XII win over Denver. But Ed “Too Tall” Jones was a beast.

He was fast for his size, making it hard for running backs to get through the line.

Cowboys Blog - Too Tall Is Too Good, #72 Belongs To Ed Jones
ANAHEIM, CA – 1985: Defensive lineman Ed “Too Tall” Jones #72 of the Dallas Cowboys during a 1985 NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

And quarterbacks usually threw to the other side of the line, rather than try to navigate a pass over his outstretched arms.

Jones put in a lot of games and was a factor in nearly all of them.

Just for fun, if and when they add him, they should make the “Too Tall” letters taller than the rest of his name.

DeMarcus Ware

Another monster on the defensive line who deserves the recognition of the Ring.

The NFL quarterbacks DeMarcus Ware faced are likely still seeing that blue and white 94 in their nightmares.

DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys All-Time Sack Leader, Announces Retirement
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) nearly has his helmet ripped off his head after being landed on by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) in the third quarter at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, November 22, 2012. The Cowboys lost 38-31. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

The only thing missing from his resume is a Super Bowl ring won in Dallas. But that is not his fault at all.

If the Cowboys could not put it together enough on the field to win a championship during his tenure in Dallas, then they can at least honor him properly.

Jason Witten

The man suffered what was believed to be a ruptured spleen and didn’t miss a single regular season game.

He caught a pass against the Eagles, got his helmet knocked off, and still plowed his way downfield.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was injured during this tackle by two Oakland Raiders defenders. Dallas won the preseason game, 3-0, played at the Oakland Coliseum on Aug. 13, 2012. Photo by Richard Paolinelli.

That’s just two of many reasons why Jason Witten’s name belongs up on the Ring of Honor.

Unconvinced? Try this: He’s the Cowboys’ career leader in receptions (1,215) and yards (12,977) too.

Like Ware, all he’s missing is a championship. And, like Ware, it isn’t because of anything he failed to do on the field.

Daryl Johnston

You think Emmitt Smith becomes the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards without the Moose leading the way? Nope.

Cowboys Blog - Moose Season: Daryl Johnston Owns #48 5

Daryl Johnston doesn’t have the monster numbers the other backs have.

But he did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches that got Smith the rushing title he still enjoys, as well as three of the Cowboys’ five Super Bowls.

Turn the Moose loose one last time.

Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli is an award-winning sports journalist with 34 years of professional newsroom experience. His newspaper career (1991–2011) includes the Gallup Independent, Modesto Bee, Gustine Press-Standard, Turlock Journal, Merced Sun-Star, Tracy Press, Patch, and San Francisco Examiner. He received the 2001 California Newspaper Publishers Association Best Sports Story award. Richard has authored two non-fiction sports books and 11 novels. At InsideTheStar.com, he has published 874 articles reaching over 728,000 readers.

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Dewey McGuirk
Dewey McGuirk
Apr 1, 2023 8:06 AM

I would add Harvey Martin as well.

Ed Davila
Ed Davila
Apr 1, 2023 2:40 PM

The person that belongs on there is Jimmy Johnson you know a coach of two Super Bowls another example that Jerry does’t care about the fans what is right is right perfect example of how Jerry has RUNIED the Dallas Cowboys

David A Franklin
David A Franklin
Apr 1, 2023 10:01 AM

I can totally agree with all of the suggestions for adding new names. All of these men were great Cowboys.

Mike Tepetla
Mike Tepetla
Apr 1, 2023 10:44 AM

Was against the Eagles when Witten ran without his helmet.

Peter P.
Peter P.
Apr 1, 2023 12:56 PM

Jethro Pugh Harvey Martin Charlie Waters Ken Norton Bill Bates Nate Newton Everson Walls

Ray Schichtel Jr.
Ray Schichtel Jr.
Apr 1, 2023 7:53 PM

Everson walls, 18 INT’s in his first 25 games played not counting playoffs. 3x INT leader. 57 which was around top 15 all-time and that alone should speak why he deserves it.
I’ve been advocating for Too Tall for just as long as Walls. Moose, Ware and of course, Jimmy are all deserving. But just Moose in ROH. Fullback is a tough position to grade, unfortunately. He did it better than anyone, no doubt.
It’s interesting, Mark Stepnoski was 2nd team all decade 90’s and most 2nd team members of any decade get into the HOF. But I feel like he deserves ROH, too.

Scott Aly
Scott Aly
Apr 1, 2023 11:54 PM

Ray Schichtel Jr. Step, Walls, Nate Newton, Jethro Pugh, Larry Cole, Charlie Waters, DD Lewis, Mark Tuinei, Bill Bates, Walt Garrison.

Ray Schichtel Jr.
Ray Schichtel Jr.
Apr 1, 2023 11:56 PM

Scott Aly our ROH needs so many names! We have an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent that wore the Star.

Scott Aly
Scott Aly
Apr 1, 2023 11:56 PM

Ralph Neely, Dan Reeves, Cornell

Scott Aly
Scott Aly
Apr 1, 2023 11:57 PM

THat aint no lie and Jerry has drug his feet.. Ernie Stautner another coach that carried this franchise. Jim Myers…

Ray Schichtel Jr.
Ray Schichtel Jr.
Apr 1, 2023 7:53 PM

Everson walls, 18 INT’s in his first 25 games played not counting playoffs. 3x INT leader. 57 which was around top 15 all-time and that alone should speak why he deserves it.
I’ve been advocating for Too Tall for just as long as Walls. Moose, Ware and of course, Jimmy are all deserving. But just Moose in ROH. Fullback is a tough position to grade, unfortunately. He did it better than anyone, no doubt.
It’s interesting, Mark Stepnoski was 2nd team all decade 90’s and most 2nd team members of any decade get into the HOF. But I feel like he deserves ROH, too.

Scott Aly
Scott Aly
Apr 1, 2023 11:54 PM

Ray Schichtel Jr. Step, Walls, Nate Newton, Jethro Pugh, Larry Cole, Charlie Waters, DD Lewis, Mark Tuinei, Bill Bates, Walt Garrison.

Ray Schichtel Jr.
Ray Schichtel Jr.
Apr 1, 2023 11:56 PM

Scott Aly our ROH needs so many names! We have an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent that wore the Star.

Scott Aly
Scott Aly
Apr 1, 2023 11:56 PM

Ralph Neely, Dan Reeves, Cornell

Scott Aly
Scott Aly
Apr 1, 2023 11:57 PM

THat aint no lie and Jerry has drug his feet.. Ernie Stautner another coach that carried this franchise. Jim Myers…

Jeff murphy
Jeff murphy
Apr 1, 2023 3:09 PM

100% agree. And add Harvey Martin.

Carl Truly
Carl Truly
Apr 1, 2023 8:58 PM

I don’t think Meredith or Moose Johnston make the cut.

Carl Truly
Carl Truly
Apr 1, 2023 8:58 PM

I don’t think Meredith or Moose Johnston make the cut.

Fernando Fernandez
Fernando Fernandez
Apr 1, 2023 11:26 PM

My Man!

Fernando Fernandez
Fernando Fernandez
Apr 1, 2023 11:26 PM

My Man!

texmike
texmike
Apr 1, 2023 8:53 PM

Harvey Martin

Rick Mayhew
Rick Mayhew
Apr 3, 2023 10:31 PM

Everson Walls…he deserves to be in the NFL Hall Of Fame too.

John Kerns
John Kerns
Apr 4, 2023 10:24 PM

There are a few names missing:,Everson Walls, Charlie Waters, Larry Cole, Dan Reeves, Mike Ditka

Marleia McManus Strickland
Marleia McManus Strickland
Apr 5, 2023 3:26 AM

Agree

Richard Moore
Richard Moore
Apr 5, 2023 5:53 AM

Larry allen

Richard McNeilly
Richard McNeilly
Apr 5, 2023 1:17 PM

I see fullback Timmy Newsome overlooked as usual

Jim Taylor
Jim Taylor
Apr 5, 2023 3:10 PM

Jerry please sell the team for the real Cowboy fan , who watched total class. Tom Laundry!!!!

Richard
Richard
Aug 1, 2023 9:55 AM

What constitutes a ring of honor induction is the hard question there are great players such as Jim Jeffcoat and Michael Downs that might also be candidates but we’re never going to be as flashy as a quarterback wide receiver or running back

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