Jerry Jones is making headlines (there’s a shock!) by publicly suggesting that DeMarcus Lawrence is deserving of getting inducted in to the team’s Ring of Honor someday.
Jerry didn’t guarantee it, as he recently did with the just-retired Zack Martin. And the framework of the remark was all about Lawrence’s leadership spat with Micah Parsons as D-Law was heading out the free agency door to sign with the Seattle Seahawks.
Jerry’s got that part right; some goofy comments D-Law made do little to erase his on-field work here over the course of a decade.
But Jones is getting this all wrong.
Tank Lawrence? a nod of respect to a darn good veteran who played through injuries and who played at a high enough level to make four Pro Bowls.
And in time, that recognition may be well-deserved.
But not if there is any sort of logical pecking order for the one-man committee (Jones) as these decisions are being made.
If we’re being honest? D-Law should be nowhere near the front of the line. … and it’s odd that Jones would pluck his name off a bountiful tree full of better candidates.
The Cowboys Ring of Honor remains one of the most exclusive and iconic honors in all of professional sports. But sometimes, it’s something else entirely: a political waiting room.
Tex Schramm did it, blocking guys who crossed him the wrong way.
Jerry did it, dueling stubbornly with Jimmy Johnson until the coach was finally inducted after a 25-year wait.
Who ‘s in right now?
Bob Lilly (1975)
Don Meredith (1976)
Don Perkins (1976)
Chuck Howley (1977)
Mel Renfro (1981)
Roger Staubach (1983)
Lee Roy Jordan (1989)
Tom Landry (1993)
Randy White (1994)
Tony Dorsett (1994)
Bob Hayes (2001)
Tex Schramm (2003)
Cliff Harris (2004)
Rayfield Wright (2004)
Troy Aikman (2005)
Emmitt Smith (2005)
Michael Irvin (2005)
Larry Allen (2011)
Charles Haley (2011)
Drew Pearson (2011)
Darren Woodson (2015)
Gil Brandt (2018)
DeMarcus Ware (2023)
Jimmy Johnson (2023)
That’s an elite and exclusive club … like no other, really, of 24 incredibly accomplished men.
You as a Cowboys fan can have your own favorites.
What about legends like Everson Walls, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Daryl Johnson, Jay Novacek, Harvey Martin, Bill Bates, Charlie Waters, Danny White and more?
What about two of Jerry’s all-time favorite players, Jason Witten and Tony Romo?
How does DeMarcus Lawrence stack up against them?
Tank was warrior in the trenches. But when Jerry starts publicly mentioning Ring of Honor status for active players while true icons remain in limbo, it raises a fair question:
What’s that criteria again?
This is not about knocking D-Law, and Jerry’s write in noting that that “Brotherhood B.S.” conflict” isn’t in play here.
But …
It’s about accountability to the standard – the one Jerry himself helped build. If the Ring of Honor is truly about greatness, legacy, and impact, then it’s time the legends already knocking on the door get let in first.
Anything less waters down what used to mean everything.
