The Dallas Cowboys will honor the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction of former head coach Jimmy Johnson by playing in the 2021 Hall of Fame Game. One of the most highly regarded franchises in NFL history, how many Hall of Famers do the Cowboys have, and who are they?
How many Hall of Famers do the Cowboys have?
The Cowboys have a total of 29 Hall of Famers who were part of their organization for at least a year. There are 20 Hall of Famers who have their primary contribution to their Hall-of-Fame candidacy while part of the Cowboys’ organization.
Cowboys’ players in the Hall of Fame
Dates in parentheses represent the years played for the Cowboys.
Bob Hayes, Split End/Wide Receiver (1965-74)
One of a shortlist of Olympians who played in the NFL, Bob Hayes is the only person in history to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring. During his 10-year career with the Cowboys, Hayes twice led the league in receiving touchdowns, was selected a first-team All-Pro twice, and went to three Pro Bowls.
Bob Lilly, Defensive End/Tackle (1961-74)
Not many in the league have a longer list of accolades than that of Bob Lilly. He was named to both the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, the All-Decade Teams in both the 1960s and 1970s, and named a first-team All-Pro seven times (1964-1969, 1971). He also has a Super Bowl ring (VI) and 11 Pro Bowl selections.
Charles Haley, Defensive End/Linebacker (1992-96)
It was a tight call between whether Charles Haley was linked to the 49ers or Cowboys when inducted as a Hall of Famer. He was selected as a first-team All-Pro once with the Cowboys and won three of his five Super Bowl rings in Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX).
Cliff Harris, Defensive Back (1970-79)
With four straight first-team All-Pro selections, it is no surprise that Cliff Harris was selected to the 1970s All-Decade Team. Harris was also named a second-team All-Pro in 1974, to the Pro Bowl six times, and won two Super Bowls (VI, XII).
Deion Sanders, Defensive Back (1995-99)
Another player who has his accolades spread across multiple teams is Deion Sanders. He won one of his Super Bowls (XXX), was named a first-team All-Pro three times, and to the Pro Bowl four times while in a Cowboys’ uniform. Additionally, he was named to the 1990s All-Decade Team and the 100th Anniversary Team.
Drew Pearson, Wide Receiver (1973-83)
A member of the 1970s All-Decade NFL team, Drew Pearson led the league in receiving yards in 1977. He was selected as a first-team All-Pro three times, won a Super Bowl (XII), and went to three Pro Bowls.
Emmitt Smith, Running Back (1990-2002)
The accolades stack high and wide for Emmitt Smith — NFL MVP in 1993, 1990s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, four first-team All-Pro Selections, four times the rushing leader in the league, three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII, XXXX), and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year just to name a few. Smith also ranked in the top 10 of Pro Football Network’s Top 11 running backs of all-time.
Larry Allen, Offensive Line (1994-2005)
Another extremely decorated former Cowboys’ player, Larry Allen was selected as a first-team All-Pro at guard in seven straight years (1995-2001). Allen was also selected to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, and both the 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams. The fact he won a Super Bowl (XXX) almost pails in comparison to the rest of his individual accolades.
Mel Renfro, Defensive Back (1964-77)
Mel Renfro began his career with 10 straight Pro Bowls. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 1969 when he led the league in interceptions (10). During his time with the Cowboys, he won two Super Bowls (VI, XII).
Michael Irvin, Wide Receiver (1988-1999)
While he is not as highly decorated as some of his teammates, Irvin does not lack recognition. Named in the 1990s All-Decade Team, he was the receiving yards leader and a first-team All-Pro in 1991. From a team perspective, Irvin was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX).
Randy White, Defensive Line/Linebacker (1975-88)
Another highly decorated Cowboys’ Hall of Famer, White was named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and the 1980s All-Decade Team. He was named a first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in nine straight seasons (1977-1985). His one Super Bowl victory (XII) saw him earn Super Bowl MVP.
Rayfield Wright, Offensive Line (1967-79)
A member of the 1970s All-Decade Team, Wright was named a first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons between 1971-1973. He followed that up with three straight appearances as a second-team All-Pro (1974-1976). Wright was named to the Pro Bowl in each of those six seasons. During his time with the Cowboys, Wright won two Super Bowl rings (VI, XII).
Roger Staubach, Quarterback (1969-79)
Another highly decorated member of the Cowboys’ Hall of Fame group, Staubach is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team and the 1970s All-Decade Team. He won the Super Bowl twice (VI, XII), taking home the Super Bowl MVP once (VI).
Tony Dorsett, Running Back (1977-87)
Dorsett had a strong entrance into the NFL, winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1977. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 1981, a second-team All-Pro in 1982 and ’83, and won a Super Bowl ring (XII).
Troy Aikman, Quarterback (1989-2000)
Aikman is one of the most decorated QBs of all time when it comes to Super Bowl rings with three (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX). He won the Super Bowl MVP once (XXVIII) and went to six straight Pro Bowls between 1991 and 1996.
Cowboys players who are inducted based on performances with other teams
The following players are all inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and spent at least one season with the Cowboys. However, their main accomplishment as a player came when representing other NFL teams on the field.
Dates in parentheses indicate when the player played for the Cowboys. Team in italics identifies the team they are associated with in the Hall of Fame.
- Forrest Gregg, Offensive Line (1971) Green Bay Packers
- Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver (1984) Philadelphia Eagles
- Herb Adderley, Defensive Back (1970-72) Green Bay Packers
- Jackie Smith, Tight End (1978) St. Louis Cardinals
- Lance Alworth, Flanker/Wide Receiver (1971-72) San Diego Chargers
- Mike Ditka, Tight End (1969-72) Chicago Bears
- Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver (2006-08) San Francisco 49ers
- Tommy McDonald, Flanker (1964) Philadelphia Eagles
Which Cowboys’ coaches are in?
Dates in parentheses represent the years spent with the Cowboys. Team in italics identifies the team they are associated with in the Hall of Fame.
Tom Landry (1960-88)
One of the coaches named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Landry holds the Cowboys’ career record for wins (250). He won the Super Bowl twice with the Cowboys (VI, XII). Landry also had 20 straight winning seasons between 1966 and 1985.
Jimmy Johnson (1989-93)
Jimmy Johnson was only the Cowboys’ coach for five seasons. However, in that time, they won the Super Bowl twice (XXVII, XXVIII) and won 36 games across his final three years. He never managed the same success elsewhere but took home AP NFL Coach of the Year while with the Cowboys in 1990.
Bill Parcells (2003-06) New York Giants
Parcells saw the majority of his success with the Giants before finishing his head coaching career with the Cowboys.
Which other former members of the Cowboys organization find themselves immortalized in Canton?
Dates in parentheses represent the years spent with the Cowboys.
Tex Schramm, President/General Manager (1960-88)
Tex Schramm is a massive part of the history of the NFL. He brought Pete Rozelle into the league while with the Rams and was then in charge of the Cowboys for 30 years. During that time, the Cowboys won two Super Bowls (VI, XII) and largely cemented them as one of the teams America loves to hate.
Gil Brandt, Vice President of Player Personnel (1960-88)
It is impossible to mention Schramm without Brandt, who was a huge part of the success of the Cowboys. The combination of Schramm, Brandt, and Landry is one of the best trios of coaches and front office that we have ever seen in the league.
Jerry Jones, Owner/President/General Manager (1989-present)
Jerry Jones took over as the owner of the Cowboys in 1989. He brought immediate success in his role as President and General Manager. Within five years, the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl under Jones (XXVII), before adding two more in the next three years (XXVIII, XXX). He was the first owner to win three Super Bowls in the first seven years of ownership of an NFL franchise.
Ben Rolfe is a Senior Managing Editor at Pro Football Network and is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can find him on Twitter @BenRolfePFN.