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Cowboys legend Chuck Howley named Hall of Fame finalist, Everson Walls left out

By Lauren Barash

Nov 22, 1970; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys linebacker (54) Chuck Howley (41) Charlie Waters stop Washington Redskins runningback (31) Charlie Harraway at RFK Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 22, 1970; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys linebacker (54) Chuck Howley (41) Charlie Waters stop Washington Redskins runningback (31) Charlie Harraway at RFK Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the three Senior Finalists from the 12 candidates chosen for the 2023 class. The three selected were DL Joe Klecko, DB Ken Riley, and LB Chuck Howley. Many believe the legendary Dallas Cowboys linebacker’s induction into Canton is long overdue, but he is finally getting his chance at 86 years old.

Everson Walls, another beloved Cowboys defender, was also a senior candidate but did not make the finalist round for this year.

Howley was a first-round pick out of West Virginia in 1958 by the Chicago Bears. After only two seasons in Chicago, the linebacker retired due to a training camp injury sustained in 1960. The former Bear went home to get a “real” job running a filling station.

But Howley’s best NFL days were yet to come.

In 1961, the Bears traded Howley’s rights to Dallas after their first year as an NFL franchise. For 13 years, Howley was a star on the Cowboys’ defense, and his accolades make him famous in league history, too.

In 1970, the Cowboys took on the Baltimore Colts in a Super Bowl match often called the “Blunder Bowl” due to all the penalties and turnovers. Even though Dallas lost the game, Howley was named the MVP for his two interceptions and a fumble recovery. That historical moment made him the first non-quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP honors, and to this day makes him the only player from a losing team to take home that trophy. Talk about making history.

Legendary Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley named a Senior Hall of Fame finalist, CB Everson Walls doesn’t make the cut

In his 13 years with the Cowboys, he played in 165 games and collected 24 interceptions, 17 fumble recoveries, and 26 sacks. As a Cowboys Ring of Honor member for over 40 years, football fans continued to wonder why he didn’t have a bust in the Hall of Fame yet.

Currently, he ranks second in franchise history for fumble recoveries. The former linebacker also has six Pro Bowl and five consecutive first-team All-Pro nods to his name.

All Howley can do now is hope his accolades are enough. The Hall of Fame selection committee will vote on the three finalists in January. If the former Cowboy gets 80% approval, he will be part of the 2023 class.

In other Cowboys Hall of Fame news, former Cowboys running back and former NFL coach Dan Reeves is currently a candidate for the Coach/Contributor category. We will find out if he is a finalist next week.

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