The Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (RoH) is a ring that currently exists around AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and formerly existed around Texas Stadium in Irving, 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."
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.
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.
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.
On November 1, 2015 Darren Woodson became the 21st member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
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.
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
Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists by YearInducted or Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
No. Name Position Years With Club Inducted 74 Bob Lilly DT 1961–1974 November 23, 1975 17 Don Meredith QB 1960–1968 November 7, 1976 43 Don Perkins FB 1961–1968 November 7, 1976 54 Chuck Howley LB 1961–1973 October 30, 1977 20 Mel Renfro CB 1964–1977 October 25, 1981 12 Roger Staubach QB 1969–1979 October 9, 1983 55 Lee Roy Jordan LB, C 1963–1976 October 29, 1989 — Tom Landry Head Coach 1960–1988 November 7, 1993 33 Tony Dorsett RB 1977–1987 October 9, 1994 54 Randy White DT, LB, DE 1975–1988 October 9, 1994 22 Bob Hayes WR 1965–1974 September 23, 2001 — Tex Schramm General Manager 1960–1989 October 12, 2003 43 Cliff Harris S 1970–1979 October 10, 2004 70 Rayfield Wright OT 1967–1979 October 10, 2004 8 Troy Aikman QB 1989–2000 September 19, 2005 88 Michael Irvin WR 1988–1999 September 19, 2005 22 Emmitt Smith RB 1990–2002 September 19, 2005 88 Drew Pearson WR 1973–1983 November 6, 2011 94 Charles Haley DE 1992–1996 November 6, 2011 73 Larry Allen OG, OT 1994–2005 November 6, 2011 28 Darren Woodson S 1992–2004 November 1, 2015 — Gil Brandt VP Player Personnel 1960–1988 November 29, 2018 94 DeMarcus Ware LB 2005–2013 October 29, 2023 — Jimmy Johnson Head Coach 1989–1993 December 30, 2023
References