Emmitt Smith retired as the NFL’s all-time rushing leader with 18,335 yards and scored more rushing touchdowns (164) than any other player in NFL history. Smith was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times, won four NFL rushing titles (‘91, ‘92. ‘93 and ‘95), three Super Bowl titles, and a league (1993) and Super Bowl (XXVIII) MVP award. Smith broke Walter Payton’s NFL rushing record at Texas Stadium on Oct. 27, 2002 on an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks. Smith was inducted into the Ring of Honor with Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin on Monday Sept. 19, 2005 at halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins game. Smith was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Michael “The Playmaker” Irvin helped lead the Dallas Cowboys to six division titles and three Super Bowl rings before a spinal injury cut his playing career short. Irvin was the team’s top receiver for eight consecutive seasons and retired as the Cowboys all-time leader in receptions (750), receiving yards (1,315). As a five-time Pro Bowl selection, between 1991-98, Irvin has two more appearance than any other receiver in club history. Irvin was inducted into the Ring of Honor with Emmitt Smith and Troy Akmin on Monday Sept. 19, 2005 at halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins game. Irvin was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Troy Aikman joined the Cowboys as the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft out of UCLA. After guiding the franchise to three Super Bowl titles, Aikman retired holding or tied for 47 club passing records, including career attempts (4,715), completions (2,898), passing yards (32,942), touchdowns (165) and completion percentage (61.5%). At the time, he was the winningest quarterback of any decade, having finished his career with 94 regular season wins in the 90s. Aikman was six-time Pro Bowler and the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor with Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin on Monday Sept. 19, 2005 at halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins game. Aikman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

 

Nicknamed “Captain Crash,” Cliff Harris went undrafted in 1970 out of tiny Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas, but he eventually found the starting lineup as a rookie and went on to start nine consecutive years. He was named to six Pro Bowls and four All-NFL teams, and he was a member of two Super Bowl winning teams. Harris was at his best in the postseason, finishing his career with six interceptions in 21 playoff games. Harris was a member of the 1970s NFL all-decade team. Harris was inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime of the Cowboys-N.Y. Giants game on Oct. 10, 2004.

Rayfield Wright is the only offensive lineman in the Ring of Honor. A seventh-round draft choice, Wright made the conversion from tight end to tackle and became the Cowboys most decorated offensive lineman of the 1970s. During his 13-year career, the “Big Cat” was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, named All-Pro on four occasions and was on two Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1970s. He was the leader of Dallas offensive line units that produced the club’s first five 1,000-yard individual rushing seasons. Wright was inducted in the Ring of Honor at halftime of the Cowboys-N.Y. Giants game on Oct. 10, 2004. Wright was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Texas Earnest Schramm Jr., served 29 seasons as president and general manager of the Cowboys, turning a 1960 expansion team into one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Under Schramm, the team reached five Super Bowls, winning two, made 18 playoff appearances and compiled an NFL-record 20 consecutive winning season. Schramm was instrumental in creating the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, developing the Cowboys Ring of Honor and bringing an annual Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game to the nation. Schramm, as chairman of the NFL Competition Committee from 1966 to 1988, was a driving force behind the development of instant replay, giving the head referee a microphone for penalty announcements and developing the wild-card playoff system. One of Schramm’s most significant accomplishments was coordinating the merger of the NFL and the American Football League in 1966. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 1991. Schramm was inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime of the Cowboys game against Philadelphia on Oct. 12, 2003.

Bob Hayes led the Cowboys in receptions three times and accumulated 365 receptions for 7,295 receiving yards during his 10-year career. His 71 career touchdown receptions remains the Cowboys club record. Hayes also registered remarkable career numbers for average yards-per-catch (20.0) and average yards-per-punt return (11.1). He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro. One of the greatest sprinters in the history of track and field, Hayes joined the Cowboys with the title of “World’s Fastest Human” after winning the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters in Tokyo in 1964. Hayes was inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime of  the Cowboys against San Diego on Sept. 23, 2001. Hayes was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

A nine-time Pro Bowler during his 14 years with Dallas, Randy White established a club-record with eight straight All-Pro selections. White was co-MVP (with teammate Harvey Martin) in the Cowboys Super Bowl XII victory over Denver. A consensus All-America defensive end for Maryland in 1974, Whiote won both the Outland Trophy and the Vince Lombardi Awards. White was inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime of the Cowboys against Arizona on Oct. 9, 1994. Randy was also elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Tony Dorsett finished his career as the second leading rusher in NFL history and played in five NFC Championship Games, two Super Bowls and four Pro Bowls. After guiding the University of Pittsburgh to the 1976 national title and claiming the Heisman Trophy, Dorsett captured rookie of the year honors in 1977. He also holds the NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown run. Inducted into the Ring of Honor in 1994, Dorsett was also elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Dorsett was inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime of the Cowboys-Arizona game on Oct. 9, 1994.