DALLAS — It's where legacies are cemented in bronze busts.
The greatest players to grace the field in the NFL live forever in history. Many Dallas Cowboys have been inducted over the years, and now, three more will join their brothers in Canton, Ohio.
The trio of former Cowboys were announced to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday were: DeMarcus Ware, Chuck Howley and Zach Thomas.
Ware was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys 11th overall in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played for the Cowboys from 2005 to 2013, then he went to the Denver Broncos until he retired. He finished his career with 654 tackles, 138.5 sacks, 35 forced fumbles and three interceptions.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones introduced Ware at the NFL Honors show.
Chuck Howley, a former linebacker who played the majority of his NFL career with the Cowboys from 1961 to 1973, was chosen to the Hall of Fame.
Howley was a five-time All-Pro linebacker and Super Bowl VI champion. He is also the only player in NFL history with a Super Bowl MVP honor while on the losing team. He recorded two interceptions and a forced fumble during a 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V.
Howley was a senior finalist.
Zach Thomas is a Pampa, Texas, native who went to Texas Tech and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, where he played until 2007. Thomas then went to the Dallas Cowboys for one season in 2008. Thomas retired from the NFL in May of 2010 after signing a one-day ceremonial contract with the Miami Dolphins.
Thomas was introduced by former Cowboys and Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson.
Jerry Jones released a statement on Ware and Howley being selected.
"As a key member of the feared “Doomsday Defense” and one of the best linebackers to ever play this game, this is an honor long overdue for Chuck Howley. There never was, and may never be, another player who is at his best in the biggest games like Chuck was. His speed and athletic ability made him one of the most versatile defenders in his time. It was a testament to his impact on the game when Chuck was named Super Bowl MVP, even when losing the game. Congratulations to Chuck and the Howley family for this great honor.
I couldn't be more proud of - and happy for - DeMarcus Ware for this well-deserved recognition. His approach to the game, on and off the field, embodied all the traits it takes to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a ferocious pass rusher on the field and a true leader and role model in the locker room and in the community. We knew from the first moment he stepped on the practice field that DeMarcus was destined for greatness. The extra effort and time that he put in at practice to teach and help our offensive line be the best they could be was extraordinary and yet another example of the total team commitment he had and how it consumed him. DeMarcus earned this very rare and special place in NFL history every single day of his career, and it is truly wonderful that he will now be recognized in the Hall."
There are already 29 Dallas Cowboys enshrined in Canton. They are:
- Bill Parcells (2003-06)
- Bob Hayes (1965-1974)
- Bob Lilly (1961-1974)
- Charles Haley (1992-96)
- Cliff Harris (1970-1979)
- Deion Sanders (1995-99)
- Drew Pearson (1973-1983)
- Emmitt Smith (1990-2002)
- Forrest Gregg (1971)
- Gil Brandt (1960-1988)
- Harold Carmichael (1984)
- Herb Adderley (1970-1972)
- Jackie Smith (1978)
- Jerry Jones (1989-present)
- Jimmy Johnson (1989-1993)
- Lance Alworth (1971-1972)
- Larry Allen (1994-2005)
- Mel Renfro (1964-1977)
- Michael Irvin (1988-1999)
- Mike Ditka (1969-1972)
- Randy White (1975-1988)
- Rayfield Wright (1967-1979)
- Roger Staubach (1969-1979)
- Terrell Owens (2006-08)
- Tex Schramm (1960-1989)
- Tom Landry (1960-1988)
- Tommy McDonald (1964)
- Tony Dorsett (1977-1987)
- Troy Aikman (1989-2000)
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