Dallas Cowboys: A History of Hall of Famers

There is no denying that the Dallas Cowboys have one of the most storied franchises in the entire NFL. Since playing their first game way back in 1960, the Cowboys have earned the nickname "America's Team" by winning 22 division titles, 10 conference titles, and 5 Super Bowl titles. They've also made 32 total playoff appearances.

Outside of racking up a bunch of big wins on the football field, the Cowboys have also put more than a dozen people into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There are 16 Cowboys enshrined in Canton, Ohio, including 13 players, a coach, an executive, and a very memorable owner.

Let's take a closer look at all of the Hall of Famers who have come up through the Dallas Cowboys incredible system.

Bob Lilly, Defensive Tackle

Years in NFL: 1961-74

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1980

Lilly is known as "Mr. Cowboy" to many Dallas fans, and for good reason.

He won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1972 and was named to 11 Pro Bowls, 7 First-team All-Pro teams, and 2 Second-team All-Pro teams.

He was the first inductee into the Cowboys Ring of Honor and was also named to the NFL's 75th anniversary all-time team.

While Lilly might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think about the Cowboys and all of their accomplishments, he is considered to be one of the most important Cowboys players ever.

Roger Staubach, Quarterback

Years in NFL: 1969-79

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1985

After winning the Heisman Trophy at Navy in 1963, and then serving his country in Vietnam, Staubach kicked off his Cowboys career in the late 1960s.

He went on to win two Super Bowls with the team in 1972 and 1978 and was named Super Bowl MVP after the game in 1972.

Staubach also made the Pro Bowl 6 times and was given the NFL Man of the Year award in 1978. He earned a spot in the Cowboys Ring of Honor and is widely considered to be one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time.

Tom Landry, Coach

Years in NFL: 1960-88

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1990

The idea of an NFL head coach spending almost three decades with a single team seems laughable in 2018, but Landry was with the Cowboys for an astonishing 29 years during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

Landry was the inventor of the 4-3 defense that is still popular to this day. He was also the orchestrator of the "Doomsday Defense" squads that allowed Dallas to enjoy so much successes during his tenure with the team.

Landry guided the Cowboys to Super Bowls in 1972 and 1978 and holds the record for most career wins by a Cowboys coach at 250. He was eventually inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Tex Schramm, President and General Manager

Years in NFL: 1960-89

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1990

Part of the reason Tom Landry was able to keep his job for so long in Dallas is because of the Cowboys' stability in the front office.

While Landry was busy coaching the Cowboys between 1960 and 1988, Schramm was busy working as the very first president and general manager of the team.

He played a pivotal role in putting together the Cowboys squads that won Super Bowls in 1972 and 1978 and had more than earned a rightful place in the Cowboys Ring of Honor by the end of his career.

Tony Dorsett, Running Back

Years in NFL: 1977-88

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1994

Widely considered to be one of the best running backs to ever play football, Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Pittsburgh in 1976 before joining the Cowboys.

During his decade-plus with the team, he won a Super Bowl in 1978, and made four Pro Bowl teams while putting the Cowboys' running game on the map.

Dorsett was named an NFL First-team All-Pro once, and an NFL Second-team All-Pro twice. He also holds the record for longest running play from scrimmage at 99 yards and was nominated to be a part of the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Randy White, Defensive Tackle

Years in NFL: 1975-88

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1994

Although he was originally recruited to play fullback at the University of Maryland, White was transformed into a defensive tackle in college and made his mark in the NFL at the position.

White spent his entire career with the Cowboys, winning a Super Bowl in 1978 and being named Super Bowl co-MVP following the game.

White made 9 Pro Bowls during his NFL career and was named an NFL First-team All-Pro 9 times. He was also part of the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team and was later awarded a spot in the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Mel Renfro, Cornerback

Years in NFL: 1964-77

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1996

Renfro was one of the best all-around athletes on the Cowboys during his time with the team. He shut down opposing wide receivers on his way to helping Dallas win Super Bowls in 1972 and 1978. He earned Pro Bowl selections during 10 seasons and was also named to 7 All-Pro teams.

Renfro led the league in interceptions during the 1969 season and earned a spot in the Cowboys Ring of Honor at the conclusion of his NFL career.

Troy Aikman, Quarterback

Years in NFL: 1989-2000

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2006

After they selected him first overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, Aikman rewarded the Cowboys for their confidence in him by transforming himself into one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

Aikman led Dallas to Super Bowl wins in 1993, 1994, and 1996 and was named MVP of the 1993 game. He was also a 6-time Pro Bowler and a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award recipient in 1997.

Aikman orchestrated one of the most electric offenses in the league throughout the 1990s and was rewarded with a spot in the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

 

Rayfield Wright, Offensive Tackle

Years in NFL: 1967-79

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2006

Known as "Big Cat" because of his excellent footwork and nimble feet, Wright was a staple of the Cowboys' offensive line throughout his NFL career.

He earned Pro Bowl nods in 6 seasons, was named an NFL First-team All-Pro 3 times and an NFL Second-team All-Pro 3 times. He also won Super Bowls in 1972 and 1978.

Wright was also considered one of the leaders of the Cowboys during his time on the team. He was eventually inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Michael Irvin, Wide Receiver

Years in NFL: 1988-99

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2007

Nicknamed "The Playmaker" because of his ability to make big plays when the spotlight was the brightest, Irvin is one of the most popular Cowboys of all time.

He played a big part in the Cowboys' Super Bowl wins in 1993, 1994, and 1996 and was an integral member of the Cowboys teams that included Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.

Irvin was named to 5 Pro Bowls during his career and was also named an NFL First-team All-Pro once as well as an NFL Second-team All-Pro twice.

He more than earned his place in the Cowboys Ring of Honor and is considered to be one of the best wide receivers to ever run routes.

Bob Hayes, Wide Receiver

Years in NFL: 1965-75

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2009

"Bullet Bob" Hayes was, as his nickname would suggest, fast. Very fast in fact. So fast that, in addition to playing wide receiver for the Cowboys, he was also an Olympic gold medalist who still holds a world record for the fastest 4x100-meter anchor leg ever recorded.

When he wasn't busy preparing for the Olympics, Hayes was catching touchdowns for the Cowboys. He helped lead the team to a Super Bowl in 1972 and was named to the Pro Bowl 3 times. He was also an NFL First-team All-Pro twice and the NFL's touchdown leader twice.

He is now a part of the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Emmitt Smith, Running Back

Years in NFL: 1990-2004

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2010

When you think about the Dallas Cowboys, Smith is probably one of the first names that come to mind. He won three Super Bowls with the team in 1993, 1994, and 1996 and is one of the best running backs ever.

During his time in Dallas, Smith:

• Was named to 8 Pro Bowls
• Was named an NFL First-team All-Pro 4 times
• Won the NFL MVP in 1993
• Led the NFL in rushing yards 4 times
• Led the NFL in rushing touchdowns 4 times

Smith epitomized what it was to be a Cowboy back in the 1990s and will never be forgotten by those fans who had the chance to see him play. He would go on to become the NFL leader in total rushing yards for a career, a feat he still holds to this day.

Deion Sanders, Cornerback and Kick Returner

Years in NFL: 1989-2000, 2004-05

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2011

After stints with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers, Sanders, a.k.a. "Primetime," solidified himself as one of the best cornerbacks ever while with the Cowboys.

Sanders helped Dallas win a Super Bowl in 1995, just one year after winning one with the 49ers. He also made 8 Pro Bowl teams and was named an NFL First-team All-Pro player 8 times.

Although additional stints with the Redskins and Ravens reduced the connection some Cowboys fans felt with Sanders, you could argue Dallas wouldn't have had as much success as it did in the 1990s without him.

He may not have a spot in the Cowboys Ring of Honor like almost every other person on this list, but Sanders was the heart and soul of a few epic Cowboys defenses.

Larry Allen, Offensive Lineman

Years in NFL: 1994-2007

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2013

It's impossible to have a conversation about the best offensive linemen in NFL history without bringing Allen's name up.

Allen anchored the offensive line that opened up holes for Emmitt Smith during the 1990s. While doing so, he racked up 11 Pro Bowl nods and 7 NFL First-team All-Pro awards. He also won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1996.

Allen is a Cowboys Ring of Honor member and one of the strongest men to ever put on an NFL uniform.

Charles Haley, Linebacker and Defensive End

Years in NFL: 1986-1996

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2015

Haley and Tom Brady are the only two NFL players to ever win five Super Bowls during their illustrious careers.

Haley won his Super Bowls in 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, and 1996 while proving to be one of the most versatile defensive players in NFL history.

He also earned 5 Pro Bowl nods and was named an NFL First-team All-Pro player twice. He was put into the Cowboys Ring of Honor, and also holds a place in the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame, after spending the beginning and end of his career with their team.

Jerry Jones, Owner

Years in NFL: 1989-present

Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2017

Jones bought the Cowboys back in the late 1980s and is largely responsible for turning them into the entity they are today.

While Dallas enjoyed plenty of success prior to Jones' arrival, he took that success and built on it by turning the Cowboys into "America's Team."

He continues to run the team today. Jones is also one of the most outspoken NFL owners and is often seen and heard speaking on behalf of the other owners while discussing important topics relating to the league.

Other Pro Football Hall of Famers with Dallas Cowboys Ties

While they didn't officially enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as Dallas Cowboys, there are 7 other HOF players and coaches with ties to the Cowboys.

They include:

• Forrest Gregg, an offensive tackle who played for the Cowboys in 1971 and was inducted into the HOF in 1977
• Lance Alworth, a wide receiver who played for the Cowboys from 1971-72
  and was inducted into the HOF in 1978
• Herb Adderley, a cornerback who played for the Cowboys from 1970-72 and was inducted into the HOF in 1980
• Mike Ditka, a tight end who played for the Cowboys from 1969-72 and was inducted into the HOF in 1988
• Jackie Smith, a tight end who played for the Cowboys in 1978 and was inducted into the HOF in 1994
• Tommy McDonald, a wide receiver who played for the Cowboys in 1964 and was inducted into the HOF in 1998
• Bill Parcells, a head coach who coached the Cowboys from 2003-06 and was inducted into the HOF in 2013

Purchase Dallas Cowboys Sports Memorabilia Today

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You can purchase items signed by all these Cowboys Hall of Famers today.

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