DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Jerry Jones will induct someone into the Cowboys' Ring of Honor this season after all, but it won't be Jimmy Johnson.
After previously announcing that he didn't have any plans to induct anyone into the Ring of Honor this season, Jones said Wednesday that Hall of Fame defensive end DeMarcus Ware will join the Cowboys' exclusive club this season. Jones made the announcement prior to his team's second of three public practices this week at The Star in Frisco.
The Cowboys have not announced an official date for his halftime ceremony presentation, but it is expected to be before the Nov. 30 game against Seattle when Ware and Chuck Howley will receive their Hall of Fame rings at halftime, Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com reports.
Ware will become the first player to be inducted into the Ring of Honor since Darren Woodson was honored in 2015. He'll be the 23rd member of the Ring of Honor.
The Cowboys selected Ware with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Troy University thanks to team owner Jerry Jones's decision to overrule former head coach Bill Parcells, who preferred to draft LSU defensive end Marcus Spears instead (Dallas went on to select Spears with the 20th overall pick).
Ware made an immediate impact in his rookie season, finishing fourth in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He ended the season tied with Greg Ellis for the team lead in sacks (8) and led the team in tackles for loss (15).
Ware, who wasn't elected into the HOF in his first year of eligibility last year, spent the first nine years of his NFL career with the Cowboys, earning seven Pro Bowl selections, four All-Pro selections, and leading the NFL in sacks twice (2008, 2010). Ware remains the Cowboys' all-time leader in sacks.
As for Johnson, he'll have to wait at least another year for Jones to keep his word. Jones told Johnson on live television prior to the 2021 Hall of Fame Game that the legendary head coach would be enshrined in the Ring of Honor. But, in an interview with NBC 5's Newy Scruggs during training camp last year, Jones said it was his decision when Johnson got into the Ring of Honor and added that the decision isn't "all tailored around whether Jimmy is sniveling or not."
Johnson last spoke publicly about his desire to get into the Ring of Honor in November 2022 but admitted that he had no idea when or if that day would come.
“I’d be honored. The Dallas Cowboys are a big part of my life, so I take great pride in that. Jerry has told me a half dozen times he’s gonna do it, but I have no control over that. That’s up to Jerry," Johnson said while promoting his new book, 'Swagger,' on Shan and RJ on 105.3 The Fan. 'When and if he decides to put me in, I would be honored. But if he decides he doesn't want to do it, I'd understand."
When asked if he had any idea why he hadn't been inducted into the Ring of Honor yet, Johnson said he wasn't sure.
"No, not really. It's like my relationship with Jerry. It's a day-to-day thing," a chuckling Johnson said.
