Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

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The Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor (RoH) is a ring around Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas which honors former players, coaches and club officials who made outstanding contributions to the Dallas Cowboys football organization.

The RoH began on November 23, 1975, which was designated in Dallas as Bob Lilly Day. On that day, at what was considered the first Cowboys Reunion, the team unveiled Lilly's name and jersey number (74) beneath the press box during half time. As the first honoree, Lilly (who had retired from the NFL in July of '75 after 14 years) donned his Cowboy uniform once more and graciously accepted the honor, along with numerous other gifts, which included a car, a gun and a hunting dog. Also present at the historical event were Cowboys owner Clint Murchison, president/general manager Tex Schramm and Head Coach Tom Landry. As the first inductee, Lilly has the added distinction of returning to present each new member in the RoH. [1]

Only nine players received the honor during the first three decades of the Cowboys existence, making the RoH a coveted accolade, true to the dream envisioned by its creator, Tex Schramm. He became only the 12th person selected to the Ring of Honor; the award was given posthumously in October 2003, a few months after he died.

In 2005, an unprecedented three former Cowboys all-stars were simultaneously inducted during half time ceremonies on Monday Night Football. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, known as "The Triplets", were part of the 1990s Three-Time Super Bowl Championship Cowboys team.

Ring of Honor inductees are chosen by a Committee of One. Approval rested with its originator, former president-general manager Tex Schramm, and since 1989 with owner Jerry Jones. Schramm set precedent by placing high value on the character of his choices: Bob Lilly (1975), Don Meredith and Don Perkins ('76), Chuck Howley ('77), Mel Renfro ('81) and Roger Staubach ('83). [2]

[edit] Inductees

Number Name Years With Club Date of Induction
74 Bob Lilly** 1961–1974 Nov. 23, 1975
17 Don Meredith 1960–1968 Nov. 7,1976
43 Don Perkins 1961–1968 Nov. 7, 1976
54 Chuck Howley 1961–1973 Oct. 30, 1977
20 Mel Renfro** 1964–1977 Oct. 25, 1981
12 Roger Staubach** 1969–1979 Oct. 9, 1983
55 Lee Roy Jordan* 1963–1976 Oct. 29, 1989
HC Tom Landry** 1960–1988 Nov. 7, 1993
33 Tony Dorsett** 1977–1987 Oct. 9, 1994
54 Randy White** 1975–1988 Oct. 9, 1994
22 Bob Hayes* 1965–1974 Sept. 23, 2001
GM Tex Schramm** 1959–1988 Oct. 12, 2003
43 Cliff Harris* 1970–1979 Oct. 10, 2004
70 Rayfield Wright** 1967–1979 Oct. 10, 2004
8 Troy Aikman** 1989–2000 Sept. 19, 2005
88 Michael Irvin** 1988–1999 Sept. 19, 2005
22 Emmitt Smith 1990–2002 Sept. 19, 2005
* Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist [3]
** Inducted or Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor inductees

1975: Bob Lilly | [1976: Don Meredith | 1976: Don Perkins | 1977: Chuck Howley | 1981: Mel Renfro | 1983: Roger Staubach | 1989: Lee Roy Jordan | 1993: Tom Landry | 1994: Tony Dorsett | 1994: Randy White | 2001: Bob Hayes | 2003: Tex Schramm | 2004: Cliff Harris | 2004: Rayfield Wright | 2005: Troy Aikman | 2005: Emmitt Smith | 2005: Michael Irvin
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