One of the most amazing sights from the NFL Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 5 happened during the pregame coverage on FOX.
Seated side-by-side and smiling at each other were Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former coach Jimmy Johnson.
Jerry even announced that Jimmy would finally be added to the Cowboys Ring of Honor which most believe is decades overdue.
"The best moment of the entire night was on the @NFLonFOX pre-game set, where Jerry Jones let Jimmy Johnson know he would be going into the @dallascowboys Ring of Honor." — @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/LoD2uWWwH4
— GMFB (@gmfb) August 6, 2021
Despite the fact these two teamed together to give the 90s Cowboys two Super Bowl championships (a third one followed after Jimmy exited), their relationship was estranged for years.
What Healed The Rift
Time really does heal all wounds, especially in this case.
Jimmy left the Cowboys in 1994, but it took until 2017 for the ice to thaw between them.
A lot happened in 2017.
Jerry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an honor that Jimmy publicly said Jerry deserved.
Congratulations to Jerry Jones as Finalist Pro Football HOF.I know his passion and contribution he has made to the growth of the NFL
— Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) August 16, 2016
There was also the 25th anniversary of the duo’s first Super Bowl Championship together (1992).
Jerry Jones & @JimmyJohnson reUNITED and it feels so good! #Cowboys25 @dallascowboys #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys #WeDemBoyz pic.twitter.com/I443CvcpOb
— United Way Dallas (@UnitedWayDallas) February 26, 2017
Following the anniversary celebration, both talked to The Dallas Morning News about their relationship.
Jimmy said:
“I talked to Jerry at the Super Bowl and congratulated him on going into the Hall of Fame. I talked to the media prior to that and I said without question he deserves to be in there. You look at what the impact he has made on the NFL since he’s been in the league; the value of every franchise can be attributed really to Jerry Jones. His passion, his work ethic and what he’s done for the league he deserved to in there and I’m happy for him.”
Jerry said:
“Yes it is good with Jimmy Johnson. It’s very good. Jimmy and I really understand the circumstances. To some degree we have a good feel for each other. I’ve always had to overlook his foils. [laughing] But he’s had to overlook mine too.”
Intermediaries
Through the years, people tried to heal the wounds between these two men.
Troy Aikman certainly tried, and reportedly Barry Switzer who coached that third Super Bowl Champion Cowboys team of the 90s also did.
Jerry Jones told a hilarious story about how Barry Switzer said he wanted to get both Jimmy Johnson and Jones in a room “ I want to get you guys on the couch and figure out how you guys both (expletive) this up” regarding Jones firing Johnson after two Super Bowls.
— KRGV Sports (@KRGVSports) July 21, 2021
What Could Have Been
While this reconciliation gives Cowboys fans peace and closure after this relationship went awry, it also makes fans mad.
Why did it take so long for Jimmy and Jerry to mend their rift?
What could have been if it happened 20+ years prior to when it did?
The Cowboys likely would have won more than three Super Bowls in the 90s.
Jimmy and Jerry’s rift after a years long friendship is really a cautionary tale about what happens when two men with sizeable egos achieve success together.
Both believe their contribution was bigger and better.
In reality, they needed each other, and the 90s Cowboys teams needed them to stay together longer to win more Super Bowl titles.
NEXT: 3 Dallas Cowboys Takeaways From Hall Of Fame Game