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Next Cowboys In Ring of Honor? Tony Romo & Jason Witten vs. History
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- Next Cowboys In Ring of Honor? Tony Romo & Jason Witten vs. History
FRISCO - As soccer fans (yeah, "the other football'') file into AT&T Stadium in Arlington this summer for nine FIFA World Cup matches (the most of any North American host site), the "world'' is about to be exposed to the names of Dallas Cowboys legends etched above the suite levels.
The likes of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin are centered at the 50-yard line, for it was their iconic stretch in the 1990s that revitalized the "America's Team" identity the team had embodied from the early 1970s.
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With five Super Bowl trophies in tow, many Cowboys fans, of course, are still around from every era of the team. They look up at those 24 names inside the stadium to reminisce on the memories, the moments, and the legacy of the people who best represent the most iconic sports franchise on the planet.
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The last enshrinement was in 2023, and it was a spectacle. It was most significant because it included legendary coach Jimmy Johnson, who led those Triplets teams to two of their three Super Bowls, now over 30 years ago. The 2023 inductions also included the iconic DeMarcus Ware .
All of this leads to the questions ...
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Who is next? Romo and Witten?
Former quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten are sure bets to eventually enter the Ring of Honor.
The numbers say it is so. But I can tell you there is something more in play.
Jerry Jones adores Romo, privately listing him as his favorite Cowboy of all-time. Ford Center at The Star's address is "9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034.'' ... "9.''
Get it?
Oh, and Romo's third son is named "Jones.'' (Yes, really.)
Get it?
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Current starter Dak Prescott has already begun to take some of Romo's passing records, but those performances remain a part of No. 9's legacy wearing the star. Romo, fondly an undrafted free agent signing, worked hard to make a name for himself and will likely remain in the top five in every major passing category for a long while.
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Romo (248), however, will hold onto the franchise record for career passing touchdowns for just a few weeks this 2026 season over Prescott (243).
And for Witten, he has those statistical outputs, as well. The iconic No. 82 is far and away the franchise leader in receiving yards (12,977), receptions (1,215), and games played (255). He was surpassed by one for career receiving touchdowns by Dez Bryant (73).
Oh, and what does Jerry think of Witten? Jones is an old-movie buff, and will tell you that he thinks of Witten as a "real-life John Wayne.''
So, these two are obvious - and putting them in together is appropriate given their best-friendship. But should they be next, chronologically?
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The Chronology Problem
I've made this argument regarding the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and I'll do it here: Too much exclusivity leads to old-timers getting forgotten about.
Among the fading names of legends:
Defensive back Cornell Green, the five-time Pro Bowler from the 1960's.
"Too Tall'' Jones and Harvey Martin from the 70's and 80's; how cool would it be to see their names enshrined together, Romo/Witten style - but ahead of that pair, so they don't get forgotten?
A host of other DBs, from Charlie Waters to Bill Bates to Everson Walls to Deion Sanders?
Another slick pairing, Tyron Smith and Zack Martin ?
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Isn't Danny White - with three straight NFC Championship Game appearances - a more successful QB than Romo?
How about "The Great Wall of Dallas,'' the collection of O-linemen put in together on the heels of Larry Allen's already-presence?
And speaking of that three-time Super Bowl-winning group, who did their jobs better than Jay Novacek and Daryl Johnston? (The fullback Johnston was such a stud that like special-teamer Bates, the NFL created a special designation for their positions in the Pro Bowl.)
Someday, we'll surely get to Dak Prescott, and maybe others of a more recent vintage, from Dez Bryant to CeeDee Lamb .
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Jerry Needs 3 Changes
But along the way, I think Cowboys Nation would be most comfortable with three changes in the process ...
1 - The Ring of Honor committee is presently, officially, Jerry, all by his lonesome. That's a burdensome mistake. Why not a true committee of experts, maybe even with the fans' vote counting for something?
2 - Exclusivity is a strength. But in the 66-year history of the franchise, far more than 24 people were "special.'' And again, every era that comes and goes pushes old-timers farther into the background.
3 - And I circle back to "chronology,'' because not to be morbid, but ... I'd like the legends to be recognized, if possible, while they're still alive. You know?
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Do you have a name you think will be the next Ring of Honor inductee by the Dallas Cowboys?
Let us know your thoughts in the CowboysRoundtable Community or in the comments below!
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