In 1975, Bob Lilly became the first member of the Dallas Cowboys enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor. Lilly is one of 22 men to be inducted. Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Cowboys to Super Bowl wins in 1992 and 1993, is not one of them.
Per owner Jerry Jones, that will not change in the upcoming season.
David Moore of The Dallas Morning News cited Jones saying that nobody will be inducted into the Ring of Honor during the 2023 season.
Jerry Jones said there will be no new members added to the Cowboys Ring of Honor this year.
The wait continues for Jimmy Johnson. pic.twitter.com/qBQiZ6ooWA
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) June 5, 2023
This is particularly confusing given fairly recent comments made by Jones. In an ESPN article in 2014, Don Van Natta quoted Jones, saying that Johnson’s “disloyalty” was why he had not yet been inducted into the Ring of Honor.
But in 2021, as Johnson was getting set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that Jones would induct Johnson into the Ring of Honor.
So, the news that it would not happen in 2023 (after not happening in either 2021 or 2022) was met with frustration and confusion.
There is nothing anyone can say about this that hasn't been said.
It remains sad/frustrating/etc.
Just really unfortunate. https://t.co/UVREm3D1sP
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) June 5, 2023
Jerry before Jimmy, perhaps? https://t.co/X8kAHwwyVb
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) June 6, 2023
Jerry and Jimmy should go into the Ring of Honor together. There's no Jimmy without Jerry and vice versa. #Cowboys https://t.co/bcqaN8Ipy2
— Mike Doocy (@MikeDoocyFox4) June 6, 2023
Didn't he PROMISE Jimmy Johnson a spot?? @BTT_Podcast maybe Doc can help us out hery I could've sworn Jerry promised Jimmy a spot in the Ring of Honor https://t.co/JcxQ13ImtX
— Marlin Mealer aka Halfpint 🥃 (@Halfpintspoint) June 6, 2023
The history between Jones and Johnson is vast and complicated. The pair were teammates at the University of Arkansas and Johnson was the first coach Jones hired after buying the team and controversially firing Tom Landry.
But despite the immense success that the Cowboys had under Johnson, he left the franchise shortly after Super Bowl XXVIII after a power struggle with Jones. Jones, frustrated with Johnson, said that “500 coaches” could lead the Cowboys.
That prompted the hiring of Barry Switzer. Switzer did lead the Cowboys to the NFC Championship Game in 1994 and won a Super Bowl with Dallas the following season. But after 1995, the Cowboys’ fortunes changed. Since winning Super Bowl XXX, Dallas hasn’t returned to the Super Bowl or even an NFC Championship Game.
Jones and Johnson have been seen together in recent years at public events, interacting in apparently friendly ways. Despite that, Dallas’ owner doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to follow through on the promise to induct Johnson.
