Jimmy Johnson is 25 years removed from being a head coach. But fans swore the fire and passion from his head coaching days never left following his emotional Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor speech at AT&T Stadium Saturday.
Jimmy Johnson Sparks Strong Reactions in Ring of Honor Induction
Johnson’s ceremony began with a video montage of his time with the Dallas Cowboys — from his introductory speech when he was named head coach to the famous four words that still reverberate among Cowboys fans: “How ’bout them Cowboys?!” after the 1992 season NFC title game.
Fittingly, as he thanked his family, friends, and the men who helped build the 1990s Cowboys dynasty, he ended his speech with those same fiery words.
The NFL world had an instant reaction to Johnson’s long overdue induction into the team’s Ring of Honor.
“Jimmy Johnson still knows how to fire up a crowd,” the NFL X (formerly known as Twitter) account posted after the speech.
"HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!" Jimmy Johnson still knows how to fire up a crowd 🔥
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/l59MsZOVZ3— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
That wasn’t all. During the speech, Johnson even thanked “the millions who despise the Cowboys” as a swipe at the population who chose to hate Dallas.
“Because of all of you is what makes this game so great,” Johnson said. “Thank you, thank you.”
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That statement drew loud roars from the home crowd and an even more excited reaction from Johnson’s star wide receiver during their string of 90s Super Bowls, Michael Irvin.
While Johnson hasn’t coached since the 1999 season with the Miami Dolphins, his speech got fans energized.
Notable Fan Reactions After Johnson’s Speech
Cowboys team reporter Nicole Hutchinson posted how the “How ’bout them Cowboys” just “hits different.” One fan felt Johnson’s energy and sounded like someone who wanted to suit up for the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach.
“Only Jimmy Johnson can say that. It makes me wanna run through a brick wall right now!” the fan posted on X.
One Dallas fan shared how the Johnson speech left her “misty eyed” while also remembering the 1993-94 Cowboys, which became Johnson’s last Super Bowl title-winning team.
There was another fan who thanked Johnson for shouting out the Cowboy haters during his speech.
One more fan felt some nostalgic vibes in watching Johnson and Jerry Jones on the same field together once again.
“Thanks for some awesome childhood memories,” the fan posted.
The coach and owner/general manager Jones have had a lengthy history together that dates back to their 1960s run as University of Arkansas teammates. Cowboys and NFL fans, though, recall the highly scrutinized clash of egos both had during their run to the top of the league, which ultimately saw Johnson get fired after the 1993-94 title run.
But 25 years after his last NFL coaching gig, Johnson delivered the kind of speech that galvanized and energized the fans and players into believing they could line up for Johnson. And his fiery and emotional speech ended a long wait to finally be recognized by the franchise he resuscitated.
Johnson is now the 23rd name to go up in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. Lastly, the Cowboys took to social media to capture the new jacket Johnson gets to wear.
That jacket looks good on you, @JimmyJohnson ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/kCoDOMzlDQ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 31, 2023
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