Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins, finally a Hall of Famer
The Dallas Cowboys’ three-time Super Bowl championship teams of the 1990s have long been celebrated for their greatness.
And with the franchise 24 years removed from the last of those three titles, their accomplishments are being appreciated even more.
Five members of those teams, including quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, receiver Michael Irvin, defensive end Charles Haley, cornerback Deion Sanders and owner Jerry Jones have already been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But there was still something amiss: Coach Jimmy Johnson, the man who created it all, had been left wanting.
And that never sat right with Aikman, Irvin and Smith, the famed Triplets who were the foundation of those title teams.
But that changed on Sunday when Johnson was surprisingly notified by Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Centennial Slate for the Class of 2020.
It brought tears to the eyes of Johnson.
“The only thing I can think of is all the assistant coaches who worked for me, all the great players who played for me are the reason,” said a teary-eyed Johnson, 76, nowan NFL analyst with Fox, was surprised by the news, which came during halftime of the network’s broadcast of Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers.
“I can’t talk.
“This is so special to me because when you put in the work that we put in, it is nice for those people to appreciate it.”
Aikman, who was Johnson’s quarterback during the Super Bowl wins, also grew emotional as he worked the playoff broadcast.
“It was emotional for me because I know what he meant to those teams,” Aikman said on air. “I know that he built those teams. He deserved to be in it before anyone else was in it from the group. I think he’s going to look real good in gold.”
Aikman later elaborated more about Johnson in a post on Instagram.
“My relationship with Jimmy Johnson spans over 35 years,” Aikman wrote. “What I’ve learned though 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 @profootballhof — congratulations Coach! You’re gonna look good in gold!”
Irvin was equally overjoyed and sharing his emotions via Twitter.
“With tears in my eyes I watched my coach @JimmyJohnson get what he so rightfully earned,” Irvin said. “My Coach has turned men into CHAMPIONS on every level. Congrats Coach and welcome to the @ProFootballHOF !!!!!”
Said Smith on Twitter: “Congratulations to the greatest head coach I’ve ever played for! Welcome to the Hall @JimmyJohnson!!”
Johnson was one of eight coaching finalists and one of only two selected. Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher was notified Saturday in a similar fashion on the set of “The NFL Today” pregame show on CBS.
A Blue-Ribbon Panel met at the Hall of Fame in Canton last week to elect the Centennial Slate. This is the first time any members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were elected during a selection meeting at the Hall in Canton.
The Centennial Slate includes 10 Seniors (players who last played more than 25 seasons ago), three Contributors (an individual other than a player or coach), and two Coaches (who last coached more than five seasons ago). The honorees were voted on from a list of 38 finalists.
The remainder of the 15-person Centennial Slate for the Class of 2020 will be revealed Wednesday morning. There is a good chance former Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson or former safety Cliff Harris will join Johnson as newly enshrined Hall of Famers.
Johnson served as the Cowboys’ head coach for five seasons (1989-1993) and coached the Miami Dolphins for four (1996-99), posting an 89-68 career record. He led the Dolphins to three postseason appearances.
But he was selected for his work with the Cowboys. Jones hired him away from the Miami Hurricanes after buying the Cowboys in 1989, and Johnson turned around a proud franchise that had lost its way in the 1980s.
Jones issued a statement congratulating Johnson.
“We’re so happy that the Hall of Fame has recognized Jimmy Johnson for what he is. A great coach,” Jones said in the statement. “To Jimmy I say, ‘The stars were aligned and our dreams came true when we joined the Dallas Cowboys.’
“And on behalf of the Cowboys, and our fans all over the world, I say congratulations Jimmy. We’re proud of you.”
The Cowboys went 1-15 in Johnson’s first year but made the playoffs in 1991 and won Super Bowl titles in 1993 and 1994.
Johnson and Jones parted ways after the 1993 season in a struggle over control of the franchise.
The Cowboys hired Barry Switzer and won the Super Bowl ion 1996, giving them three titles in five years and cementing them as the team of the decade.
There is no disputing that Johnson built that team. And now he will join the core players on the title teams as well as Jones in the Hall of Fame.
Aikman, Irvin, Smith and Haley were enshrined in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2105, respectively. Jones made the Hall of Fame in 2017.
“Think of all the great players I have coached over the years,” Johnson said. “From me to you: Thank you.”
This story was originally published January 12, 2020 at 8:15 PM.
