Jerry Jones explains odd timing of Jimmy Johnson's R.O.H. announcement
Dallas Cowboys fans have been dealing with mixed feelings since Jerry Jones announced that legendary head coach Jimmy Johnson was finally being inducted into the Ring of Honor. After all, it should've happened a long time ago. And I don't think even Jerry would try to deny any of that. He doesn't deny the painful […]
Dallas Cowboys fans have been dealing with mixed feelings since Jerry Jones announced that legendary head coach Jimmy Johnson was finally being inducted into the Ring of Honor.
After all, it should've happened a long time ago. And I don't think even Jerry would try to deny any of that. He doesn't deny the painful and obvious truth these days: This whole feud between the two should've never happened in the first place.
This, I believe, is why Cowboys Nation deeply cares about Johnson's name being up on AT&T Stadium's Ring of Honor. I don't think it's exactly about those white-on-navy letters that most fans will rarely even get to see.
The frustration, accumulated over years and years, instead comes from knowing the Cowboys should've won much more under Jimmy and it comes from knowing the former head coach deserved better. Yet at this stage, what good is it dwelling on those mistakes?
Johnson, a two-time Super Bowl champion who is a three-time champ in the minds of many fans (Barry Switzer did win with Johnson's team and it's no secret), deserves our celebration of the news. Not our discontent with the long wait.
Jerry Jones makes an emotional comment about his 'frailties'
More than a football story, the story of these two is a human story. One about friends grown apart finding a way back into their relationship.
One of the best moments following the announcement of Jimmy's induction into the Ring of Honor – which will happen on December 30th when the Cowboys face the Detroit Lions for Week 17 – was an emotional comment made by Jerry that people from all walks of life can relate to.
"I couldn't have had my frailties as to this issue if Jimmy didn't mean so much to me," Jones told reporters. "Because somebody you don't care (about), can't get to you."
Jones also admitted he didn't anticipate some of the growing awkwardness coming from the decision to take too long to do it.
"I guess anticipated it but I didn't really anticipate it," Jones confessed. "I wouldn't have wanted that to linger any longer."
Jimmy Johnson later talked about the complicated relationship between him and Jerry and made note of how deep down, the pair is still like brothers.
"Every time I'm with Jerry we tell old stories and laugh and cut up and have great, great memories because both of us are extremely proud of what we were able to do," Johnson said in his usual excited tone. "(Terry) Bradshaw told me, he said, 'Geez, you two guys when you get together, it's like two brothers, you know? There's a strong feeling between the two of you.' And so that's why people have never really understood the relationship, but we're both extremely proud. I mean, the way the Cowboys are today and the way the Cowboys were back then, we're very proud of what we were able to do."
Odd timing of Jimmy Johnson's ROH announcement explained
Many Cowboys fans wondered about the reasoning behind announcing it moments before the Carolina Panthers game. It was an odd choice to do it on the road and to do it in a low-stakes football game.
Jones revealed they wanted the announcement to be made on FOX, where Johnson first appeared in 1994. He paused his broadcasting career to coach the Miami Dolphins but later resumed it in 2002 and has been with the same network since.
"We didn't have another FOX game there and then we have (Troy) Aikman coming up on Saturday night," Jones added.
The Week 17 game against the Lions will be on ESPN, which means it'll be Aikman on the call with Joe Buck. Although the Cowboys do have FOX games in Weeks 15 and 16, the announcement had to be made with anticipation.
