ESPN: Cowboys’ Woodson Is Startlingly Ignored by Hall Again

Dallas Cowboys legend Darren Woodson believed that this was his year after waiting for over ten years. Unfortunately, he did not receive the call to Canton once again. Many people in Cowboys Nation find this disturbing. As revealed Thursday, the legendary safety, who played for the Cowboys for his whole 12-year career, was not chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

A key member of the Cowboys’ dynasty that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s, Woodson retired in 2004 as Dallas’ all-time top tackler with 1,350 career tackles. With his unique combination of size, speed, and covering skills, Woodson—a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro selection—revolutionized the safety position. Woodson was chosen 37th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft, but his path to NFL fame was anything but typical. When Dave Campo, the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, saw the tiny collegiate linebacker at Arizona State’s pro day, he saw him as a safety. Woodson would go on to become one of the most adaptable defensive backs of his time, proving his vision to be accurate.

Throughout his career, Woodson amassed 23 interceptions, 11 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and 11 fumble recoveries. But his influence extended much beyond the numbers. In his day, it was uncommon for a safety to be able to cover slot receivers while still being physically there to provide assistance against the run. Woodson was a key player during the Cowboys’ championship campaigns. Dallas became one of the most formidable defensive teams of the 1990s thanks in part to his leadership in the secondary.

Perhaps Woodson will get his gold jacket and be considered one of the greatest football players of all time. But for the time being? Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders, Larry Allen, Michael Irvin, and Charles Haley—but not yet Darren Woodson—represented the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty at Canton.