At the end it’s all good. You can hate Jerry Jones from the bottom of your heart. You can curse him with the most vile language possible. But you know he is a human after all. He also has a heart that only wants the Cowboys to win. Yes, he may have forgotten how to do so like he did in the early years of his tenure. That’s a different story. However, Jones hasn’t forgotten someone who played a huge part in his early success. So, the moment he heard something personal to him. Jones couldn’t help himself but pen an emotional note that can make anyone teary just by reading his words.

On Monday, Jimmy Johnson, with a heavy heart full of 31 years of memories, announced that he was retiring from broadcasting duties at Fox. Well, that news came as a shock to the football community. As Johnson had been a constant presence on television for 3 decades with his Sunday morning and afternoon analysis. But at 81, he thought it was time to move on. So, once Jerry Jones came across the news of Johnson retiring from television. He took a trip to the earliest days possible. In a statement released by the Cowboys, Jones remembered their time from college teammates to Super Bowl buddies.

“From the time we were in college until the time we were holding up those Super Bowl trophies. I knew Jimmy Johnson could be anything he wanted to be, and he has…Jimmy has blazed a remarkable, unique trail that is now deeply embedded into football and broadcasting history. Congratulations on your incredible career, Jimmy, and I wish you well in your fourth quarter my friend. You will always be a winner!” Here’s the thing: Jones and Johnson knew each other from their time at Arkansas in the 1960s. Then both of them went on a different path. Johnson took up coaching, while Jones, you know, acquired the Cowboys.

And the first thing he did after coming to Dallas? Fire Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry and hire Jimmy Johnson right away. Well, that decision proved to be monumental. Johnson quickly changed the Cowboys’ fortunes and turned them into a dynasty in the early 1990s. He led them to not one but two Super Bowl glories after going 1-15 in his first season. However, their on-field success didn’t reciprocate to the off-field. After a difference of opinion behind-the-scenes on whom to credit the Cowboys’ success, Johnson left Dallas.

Years of not seeing eye to eye. Jones finally put aside his ego and inducted Jimmy into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2023. And now he has also called him a friend, wishing him luck for the journey ahead. So, in the end, it did turn out well. But Johnson isn’t the only Cowboy who is retiring. Zack Martin, who spent his entire 11 years in Dallas, is also set to move on.

Dallas Cowboys set to honor team captain Zack Martin

Well, the writing was already on the wall when Martin suffered his first season-ending injury last year. After undergoing surgery to repair his ankle, Martin’s body simply didn’t respond like he wanted. So, after taking some time to ponder upon his next move with free agency looming. Martin decided it’s better to walk away. He ends his career winning seven first-team All-Pro, 9 Pro Bowls, making him one of the most decorated offensive linemen ever to play the game. Like he also made the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team just because of his consistency on the gridiron.

Considering the years of success he brought with his plays on the O-line, the Cowboys have something special planned for him. On Wednesday, they are set to honor him with an official farewell at the Star. He will have his press conference to express his thoughts for one last time as a Cowboy.

And once he retires, Martin will be instantly eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2030. Well, his time in Dallas may be over in 2025. But in 5 years he will soon take a trip to Canton for his Hall of Fame enshrinement. So, there’s a lot to come for Martin—his gridiron duties may be over. But the rewards of a glorious 11-year career start from Wednesday.