Jerry Jones makes a surprise announcement

Thirty years after Jimmy Johnson coached the Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl titles, the former head coach is finally being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones announced the news in a surprise press conference on Fox’s NFL pregame before the Cowboys’ 33-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Dallas on Sunday afternoon. Jones praised Johnson’s work ethic, inspiration and football skills before telling him, “On December 30, 1923, you will enter the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.” Johnson misquoted Jones: “I hope it’s 2023.” Jones confirmed that he meant it.

It’s an accolade Cowboys fans — and after so much back and forth, NFL fans — have been waiting for. Jones was infamously fired after Johnson’s second Cowboys Super Bowl run to bring in head coach Barry Switzer, who would lead the Cowboys to another championship two years later. Jones said Sunday that Bill Walsh once told them they were “examining their relationship.” “We’re talking and we’re friendly now,” Johnson said. The Lombardi Prizes marked the peak of Johnson in training the cowboys, but they do not fully describe his effect. When Johnson was hired to coach the Cowboys in 1989, the team finished last at 1-15. Two years later they had a winning record. And then two Super Bowls. Quarterback Troy Aikman, quarterback Michael Irvin and running back Emmitt Smith anchored those championship teams. All three were inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2005. Johnson, who was inducted into the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, becomes the 24th member of the Cowboys’ Hall of Fame and the second coach. Tom Landry, head coach of the Cowboys from 1960 to 1988, was drafted in 1993. Landry led the Cowboys to two Super Bowls and seven more conference championships during his tenure. The Cowboys have not returned to the Super Bowl or even the conference championship since the 1995 season.