Legendary members of the Dallas Cowboys’ three Super Bowl-winning teams of the 1990s reunited on Saturday at a celebration benefiting the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. The event also honored Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for his upcoming induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The bash at Gilley’s Dallas took place on the 28th anniversary of Jones’ purchase of Dallas’ NFL franchise. Jones bought the team in 1989 for $150 million and today, Forbes magazine says, the franchise is worth $4.2 billion, making it the most valuable team in sports.
Hosted by Troy Aikman, the former ‘Boys quarterback and chairman of the local United Way’s 93rd annual fundraising campaign, the event also served as the backdrop for a long-awaited reunion between Jones and former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson. The duo famously split in 1994, when Jones fired Johnson after he led the team to two Super Bowl wins.
Said Jones of Johnson at the time: “There are 500 coaches who could have won the Super Bowl with our team.”
Many ex-Cowboys guests at the event, including all-stars Emmitt Smith, a running back, and receiver Michael Irvin, downplayed the feud between Jones and Johnson. Smith even blamed the media for the bad blood.
“I don’t ever think that they actually parted the way the media portrayed them to,” said Smith, who helped the Cowboys to their three Super Bowl wins. “They’ve always spoke. Jimmy’s been supportive of Jerry, just like Jerry’s been supportive of Jimmy.”
Smith acknowledged that the divorce was messy, but said that time has helped heal the wounds.
Johnson also recognized Jones and his many achievements, attributing the popularity and value of the NFL and its multiple franchises to Jones. “His passion, his work ethic, and all he’s done for the league … he deserves to go in there, and I’m happy for him,” Johnson said, referring to Jones’ Hall of Fame election.
Johnson said he had no regrets for the falling-out with Jones, and that he appreciates all they accomplished together. Jones complimented Johnson in return, calling him a “brilliant individual that’s inspiring to be around.”
“There’s no question of the contribution that he made to the success that this reunion is celebrating,” said Jones. “I’ve been rewarded, in my lifetime, by seeing Jimmy’s success.” He added jokingly that Johnson “was worth five No. 1 picks” to be the Cowboys coach.
Asked Sunday how much money the event had raised for the nonprofit United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, CEO Jennifer Sampson replied, “We’re still reconciling. By design this is a small private event. The Cowboys players, coaches and administrative staff made up almost a third of the expected attendance. But there is no question this will be the biggest jump-start to a [local United Way] campaign in our history … “
