The decision to induct DeMarcus Ware into the Cowboys Ring of Honor essentially paved the way for Jimmy Johnson to get the call.
In a surprise announcement, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Johnson on Sunday that he would be getting inducted. The ceremony will take place during halftime of the Cowboys’ game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30 – when Troy Aikman will be on the call for ESPN.
It has been a long time coming for Johnson, who guided Dallas to a pair of Super Bowl titles in the 1990s. The wait for Johnson to get in had driven a wedge in the fanbase, with the snub incensing a faction of supporters.
Jones said Tuesday on Shan & RJ that the response to Ware getting in before Johnson woke him up.
“I saw a little of the edge that was there by not putting him in when we put DeMarcus Ware in,” Jones said. “I thought, ‘Well, I didn’t intend for this.’ So that, No. 1, motivated me. Jimmy, for me, was always – after he left the Cowboys and we enjoyed the kinds of success that we had with his involvement in the early 90s – he was always there for the Ring of Honor. Now, he only coached here five years – which makes it that much more exceptional. Tom Landry was here 29 years, he’s the only other coach in the Ring of Honor, and I think it’s particularly special.”
Jones was asked when specifically he arrived at the decision to induct Johnson.
“During DeMarcus Ware’s time this year when we put him in the Ring,” Jones responded. “I didn’t want to do it last week because we were recognizing our Medal of Honor (recipients) and basically representing our servicepeople, and I didn’t want to do anything -- particularly since we’re so committed and excited about what we’re doing with the Medal of Honor recipients. So I didn’t want anything to get confused there, that’s the reason we made that announcement over in Charlotte, and that’s the reason we’re going to do this thing when Aikman and (Joe) Buck are here.