Ring of Honor

Lore & Background

Tex Schramm created it, and it began on November 23, 1975, Bob Lilly Day, when Lilly's name and number 74 were unveiled at half time. As the first honoree, Lilly returns to present each new member. Only nine players were inducted in the club's first three decades.

Reader's Guide

Inductees were chosen first by Schramm, who put weight on character, and then by Jerry Jones; Irvin's selection was controversial because of his drug charges. Since 2017 a walkway with the inductees' numbers has stood outside the Ford Center. The ring holds 20 players, two executives and two head coaches.

In 2005 Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, the "Triplets", went in together on Monday Night Football. Schramm was inducted after his death in 2003, Darren Woodson in 2015, Gil Brandt in 2018, and DeMarcus Ware and Jimmy Johnson in 2023.