Once upon a time, Jimmy Johnson was at the helm of one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties — the early 1990s Dallas Cowboys. In those days, Dallas was almost never a national punchline the way it is now. It was the NFL’s premier meal ticket, largely thanks to Johnson, the architect.
But after the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1993, Johnson and owner Jerry Jones agreed to mutually part ways because they couldn’t work together. Dallas would eventually win another title with Barry Switzer, but the lasting impact of Johnson and Jones’ apparent rocky relationship reverberated for years. It came to the point that Dallas and Jones had not yet inducted Johnson in the team’s ring of honor despite his winning two championships as head coach.
Jones is now correcting that massive error.
During the NFL on Fox pregame show on Sunday, Jones appeared with Johnson in a live conversation. There, he expressed appreciation for his old football friend — Jones and Johnson were once college football teammates with the Arkansas Razorbacks — while surprising him with a wonderful gift.
Johnson will finally be inducted into the Cowboys’ ring of honor on December 30 when they take on the Detroit Lions at home.
On December 30, @JimmyJohnson will be inducted into the @dallascowboys Ring of Honor
Congrats, Jimmy pic.twitter.com/nXLIl3DG6Z
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 19, 2023
Here’s the message as delivered by the Cowboys:
The time has come
Jerry Jones announces Jimmy Johnson will be inducted into the #DallasCowboys Ring of Honor pic.twitter.com/2vN9USVUja
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 19, 2023
It’s impossible to tell where Jones and Johnson stand in their relationship now. But even with the consternation surrounding Johnson’s departure nearly three decades ago, watching this clip makes it abundantly clear they still appreciate one another.
And now a Cowboys legend gets to enjoy the fruits of his labor because of it.
