Honoring A Dallas Cowboys Legend

Every Sunday morning during the season (except during a bye week or the rare Thursday or Saturday night game), I occupy this space to preview the game of the week.

This week, instead of giving you fans an insider’s account of what it will take to win the game, I want to take this time to honor one of my all time favorite players to ever wear the Star.

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Being someone who focuses on the defensive side of the ball, someone who played defense better than I did offense during my own very short playing days, almost all of my favorite Dallas Cowboys have been defensive players.

It all started with Everson Walls. Walls was the reason I wanted to play cornerback as a kid. During the lean years of the 1980’s, Walls was the one my eyes focused upon when the offense was borderline unwatchable at times. He seemed to always play like he was trying to prove everyone wrong for not drafting him, even though I didn’t really understand what that meant until I was far older.

One of the highlights of my life was having the opportunity to interview him for the Landry Hat a few years ago. I will never forget how cordial, open and willing to give someone like me such an amazing opportunity.

After Walls moved on to the divisional rival New York Giants, the Cowboys went through a major rebuild. Former head coach Jimmy Johnson, the man responsible for restoring glory to this franchise, spent a lot of his higher picks on the offense since that was the biggest need. Soon, choices like quarterback Troy Aikman and running back Emmitt Smith were brought in to go along with wide receiver Michael Irvin.

These three formed “the Triplets,” which for a long time, dominated opposing defenses and brought multiple Super Bowl trophies back to Big D.

It was during this era that a less heralded draft choice would end up replacing Walls as my favorite Cowboy. At the time, it seemed unfathomable with the star power on offense that a linebacker from Arizona State, one that would be forced to move to safety, would end up being the one who I gravitated towards.

In fact, there was no grand introduction for Darren Woodson. His first year was essentially used as a complete learning year. Woodson primarily played on special teams with some appearances in specialized packages. It was not until late in the season that Woodson earned his first start. Two days after Christmas, Woodson started against the Chicago Bears and never looked back.

The next season, Woodson replaced James Washington as the full time starter at strong safety, while still contributing to the special teams unit and even playing some slot cornerback from time to time. His versatility and willingness to play anywhere endeared him quickly to his teammates as well as the coaching staff. Woodson’s play earned him respect as he set an all-time franchise record for tackles that season.

The next five seasons saw Woodson be named to the NFL All-Pro team three times and a Pro-Bowler in all five. Woodson played five more years after this impressive run amongst the elite in the league before being forced to retire in 2004 due to back issues.

During his time as a Dallas Cowboy, he not only served as one of the most respected players to ever come through Valley Ranch, but also as one of the most feared hitters to ever play the game. Never one to be as loud as Irvin, he was the yang to Michael’s ying when it came to the leadership role on the team.

Being the all time leader in tackles for such a storied franchise is impressive. Not being able to be replaced some eleven years after he retired tells the real story however.

Today, Darren Woodson gets to bask in his accomplishments as he becomes just the 21st person to ever be named to the Ring of Honor. If I know Woody, he’ll do so with that same charismatic smile and gracious demeanor that he has always possessed.

Next: Do the Cowboys need to say goodbye to this player?

It would be nice to see the current version of this team honor him with a win. Regardless of the outcome of this game however, this will forever be the day Woodson is immortalized in Cowboys lore. If you’re going to the game, make sure you show this former warrior the love he deserves.

As we have found out over the last decade, people like Darren Woodson to come along too often.

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