Jimmy Johnson celebrates his moment, takes ‘rightful place’ in Cowboys Ring of Honor
Jimmy Johnson #JimmyJohnson
ARLINGTON — Jimmy Johnson sat on a cream-colored chair, wearing a dark-colored suit, green tie, green pocket square and a light blue dress shirt with cufflinks while talking about his big moment.
Johnson was dressed to impress, because that’s what you do when a big moment in your life comes your way.
Johnson has been waiting for this moment for years — maybe too long — but it finally arrived Saturday night at AT&T Stadium.
Johnson was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor at halftime of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions, becoming the 24th member of a cherished club that’s exclusive to some of the best players in Cowboys and NFL history.
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“Well I don’t think anybody can ever image what this means to me,” Johnson said hours before he walked to midfield to be recognized for rebuilding the Cowboys and winning two Super Bowl titles. “This was a special time in my life. This was something that paid dividends for me the rest of my life and it’s something I’m extremely proud of.”
Johnson also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but until Saturday he had not been recognized by the franchise he helped fix from 1-15 that first season.
Johnson’s moment became official at halftime. The result of the game didn’t matter during an emotional day for Johnson and for many who supported him from family, players, coaches and fans.
When his name was unveiled on the club level façade opposite the Cowboys’ sideline and across from the owner’s suite of Jerry Jones, the man who made the decision to place him into the Ring of Honor, the crowd roared.
A video montage was played on the big board above the field. Emmitt Smith placed the blue Ring of Honor jacket on Johnson as he came out for the ceremony and Johnson kissed Jerry Jones on the cheeks. Michael Irvin and Smith rubbed Johnson’s coiffed white hair.
Johnson was joined not only by his family but numerous members of the Cowboys Ring of Honor including Roger Staubach, Smith, Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, Mel Renfro, Randy White, Bob Lilly, Drew Pearson, Tony Dorsett and DeMarcus Ware.
“Many people have asked what this means to me,” Johnson said during the induction. “I’m so very, very proud. I’m proud of what we accomplished and when I say we, a lot of people. But more than anything else thank you Jerry Jones for bringing me to the Dallas Cowboys.”
Johnson finished his speech by saying, “I’ve just got one more thing to say,” pausing for dramatic effect, “how ‘bout them Cowboys!”
Johnson, who has a close relationship with members of Fox Sports’ NFL pregame and postgame show, took a pregame picture with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Curt Menefee and Jay Glazer. Johnson has always said he wanted to have this big moment with the men he’s spent over a decade with.
Of course, Johnson wanted Aikman, who was working the game for ESPN as a special edition of Monday Night Football, in attendance. When it was announced Johnson would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Aikman was at a game and teared up when he watched the scene unfold.
It seemed everyone Johnson needed for this special day was there to remind him of his achievements, and while he admitted to some friction with Jones, Saturday wasn’t a time to rehash the past.
When Jones was asked about finally giving credit to Johnson, the coach interpreted his former boss.
“We’re past on who gets credit,” Johnson said. “The two of us working together made history.”
One Cowboys fan believes the team was cursed because Johnson wasn’t in the Ring of Honor. Since Johnson’s messy departure after the 1993 season, the Cowboys won one more title, in the 1995 season, and haven’t been back to the Super Bowl since.
“I think he’s breaking the curse man,” said Justin Lucas, who attended the game with his dad and brother from Gun Barrel City, Texas. “It’s our time to win a Super Bowl now. Jerry held out too long to get him in the Ring of Honor and it’s finally time.”
Celine Velasco from Peoria, Ariz., wore a blinged-out Cowboys jacket and blinged-out the necklaces she purchased for her boyfriend, Mario Martinez.
Velasco, a Steelers fan, wanted to make sure her Cowboys-loving boyfriend was here to share in Johnson’s moment.
“Jimmy has been the heart to me and so instrumental to the Cowboys,” Martinez said. “All those Super Bowls, the beef between him and Jerry, I wish for years they would let it go. I wish we could get him back as general manager because I think he can change the franchise. I’m like praying some news is going to come out today. You never know.”
Nope, Johnson wasn’t named to the front office, if anything he’s headed back to Florida to continue his calm life. Now his professional one is nearly complete with the Ring of Honor on his resume.
“You are going to hear the word right,” Jones said. “And when we finally [say] the word that says he’s in the Ring of Honor, the rightful place for him that says it all from my perspective.”
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