During Sunday’s NFC Divisional playoff game between the Seahawks and Packers, former Cowboys’ head coach Jimmy Johnson had a visitor on the set of the halftime show. Pro Football Hall of Fame president/CEO, David Baker, walked onto FOX’s set to inform Johnson he would be the 328th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Johnson was emotional and fought back tears to get out the words, “ This is so special to me. When you put in the work that we did, it’s nice to know that people appreciate it. All the assistant coaches that worked for me and all the players that played for me, they’re the reason I’m here.”
As Jimmy was giving his short speech of gratitude, the camera zoomed in on his former player, Hall of Fame quarterback, Troy Aikman, who was in the broadcast booth calling the game. Aikman had tears in his eyes as he watched the scene unfold. The man, who drafted him and led the team to multiple Super Bowls during the 90’s era, had finally received the recognition he deserved.
Jimmy Johnson played football for the University of Arkansas and roomed on the road will fellow razorback teammate, Jerry Jones. Johnson and Jones stayed in touch over the years and when Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989, hiring Johnson to become the head coach was the first item on his agenda. They both transformed the 1-15 Cowboys in ’89 to a Super Bowl winning team from 1992-93. The iconic trio led the team: Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. Both Smith and Aikman were draft selections under Johnson’s tenure with Dallas and Irvin played for Johnson at the University of Miami. Irvin helped Miami beat Barry Switzer’s Sooners in the Orange Bowl to win the 1987 National Title. He was already in place after the Cowboys selected him in the 1988 NFL Draft under the leadership of Tex Schramm, Gil Brandt, and Tom Landry.
Johnson built the foundation for a successful, dominant team in the 90’s. He stepped down as head coach of the Cowboys after the 1993 season and coached the Miami Dolphins from 1996-99, leading them to three playoff appearances in four years. Since 2002, Johnson has been a FOX studio analyst.
Troy Aikman summed up Jimmy Johnson’s impact on the game of football, the Cowboys’, and on his own personal life as a player via Instagram. He said, “ My relationship with Jimmy Johnson spans over 35 years. He was the first to recruit me out of Henryetta High School when I was 17, while he was the head coach at Oklahoma State. Two years later when I was transferring from Oklahoma, he recruited me to the University of Miami. I chose UCLA. After turning him down twice, the Dallas Cowboys chose me as the No.1 overall draft pick in 1989. We had a rough start, went through some difficult times, had stretches when we didn’t speak. What I’ve learned through in life is we remember those who make us better. Jimmy made me better, but more importantly; he made the Dallas Cowboys better. He was the architect of our 1990’s dynasty and while as our leader and coach, he should have been the first to be enshrined, I am so grateful he will have his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Congratulations Jimmy Johnson and welcome to Canton!
