Dallas_Cowboys_Ring_of_Honor

Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

Commemorative decoration in Texas Stadium


The Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (RoH) is a ring that formerly existed around Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas and currently around AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which honors former players, coaches and club officials who made outstanding contributions to the Dallas Cowboys football organization. In 1993, Jerry Jones said the Ring of Honor "stands for the men who built this franchise and had it called America's team"[1]

The Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium

The Ring of Honor was created by Tex Schramm and began on November 23, 1975, which was designated in Dallas as Bob Lilly Day. On that day, the team held the first Cowboys reunion and unveiled Lilly's name and jersey number (74) beneath the press box during half time. As the first honoree, Lilly (who had retired from the NFL in July 1975 after 14 years) donned his Cowboy uniform once more and graciously accepted the honor, along with numerous other gifts, which included a car, a gun and a hunting dog. Also present at the event were Cowboys owner Clint Murchison, president/general manager Tex Schramm and Head Coach Tom Landry. As the first inductee, Lilly has the distinction of returning to present each new member into the RoH. Only nine players received the honor during the first three decades of the Cowboys existence, making the RoH a coveted achievement, true to the dream envisioned by Schramm, who became the 12th person selected to the Ring of Honor; the award was given posthumously in October 2003, a few months after he died. [2]

In 2005, three former Cowboys all-stars were simultaneously inducted during half time ceremonies on Monday Night Football. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, known as "The Triplets", were part of the 1990s Three-Time Super Bowl Championship Cowboys team.[3]

Ring of Honor inductees have been chosen by the former president-general manager, Tex Schramm and then by owner Jerry Jones. Schramm set a precedent by placing a high value on the character of the inductees. There was controversy over the selection of Michael Irvin due to his drug charges.[4]

In 2017, the Ring of Honor was extended when the walkway was built with the former players' numbers in front of Ford Center, Cowboys' indoor practice facility.[5]

On November 1, 2015 Darren Woodson became the 21st member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.[6]

On November 29, 2018, Gil Brandt became the 22nd member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.

On October 29, 2023, DeMarcus Ware became the 23rd member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.

On December 30, 2023, Jimmy Johnson became the 24th member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.

In total, the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor includes 20 players, two executives, and two head coaches.

Inductees

The names of Aikman, Smith and Irvin before being inducted.
Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist [7]
Inducted or Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
No.NamePosition Years With ClubInducted
74Bob LillyDT19611974November 23, 1975
17Don MeredithQB19601968November 7, 1976
43Don PerkinsFB19611968November 7, 1976
54Chuck HowleyLB19611973October 30, 1977
20Mel RenfroCB19641977October 25, 1981
12Roger StaubachQB19691979October 9, 1983
55Lee Roy JordanLB, C19631976October 29, 1989
Tom LandryHead Coach19601988November 7, 1993
33Tony DorsettRB19771987October 9, 1994
54Randy WhiteDT, LB, DE19751988October 9, 1994
22Bob HayesWR19651974September 23, 2001
Tex SchrammGeneral Manager19601989October 12, 2003
43Cliff HarrisS19701979October 10, 2004
70Rayfield WrightOT19671979October 10, 2004
8Troy AikmanQB19892000September 19, 2005
88Michael IrvinWR19881999September 19, 2005
22Emmitt SmithRB19902002September 19, 2005
88Drew PearsonWR19731983November 6, 2011
94Charles HaleyDE19921996November 6, 2011
73Larry AllenOG, OT19942005November 6, 2011
28Darren WoodsonS19922004November 1, 2015
Gil BrandtVP Player Personnel19601988November 29, 2018
94DeMarcus WareLB20052013October 29, 2023
Jimmy JohnsonHead Coach19891993December 30, 2023

References

  1. "1993 Tom Landry Inducted into RIng of Honor - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-03.[dead YouTube link]
  2. "The Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor". TheCowboysGuide.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  3. Davis, Brian (2005-09-15). "'Triplets' head into Ring of Honor". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  4. Luska, Frank (2000-07-22). "Irvin doesn't meet Ring's standards". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  5. Cowboys Finest (2017-08-31), Special Edition: Scandrick Proving Age is not a Factor | Dallas Cowboys, retrieved 2017-09-01
  6. Helman, David (2015-11-01). "As He Enters The Ring Of Honor, Darren Woodson Turns Focus To Teammates". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.

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