Emmitt Smith Advocates for Former Cowboys' Hall of Fame Induction

The NFL's all-time leading rusher believes Darren Woodson and Erik Williams deserve Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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In a recent interview, NFL legend Emmitt Smith expressed his desire to see former Dallas Cowboys teammates Darren Woodson and Erik Williams inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith, who was inducted into the Hall in 2010, believes the two players were integral parts of the Cowboys' championship teams in the 1990s and deserve recognition for their accomplishments.

Why it matters

As one of the most respected and accomplished players in NFL history, Emmitt Smith's advocacy for his former teammates carries significant weight. The Hall of Fame selection process has long been a topic of debate, and Smith's comments shine a light on potential oversights in the voting.

The details

Smith specifically highlighted Woodson's status as a Hall of Fame finalist and Williams' long wait for even a mention, noting that both players had to block some of the greatest defensive players of their era. He also expressed disappointment in the Hall of Fame's decision to exclude Bill Belichick from the 2026 class, saying he was considering not returning to Canton, Ohio, due to the voting committee's decision.

  • Emmitt Smith made these comments during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.

The players

Emmitt Smith

The NFL's all-time leading rusher, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 after a storied career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Darren Woodson

A former safety for the Dallas Cowboys who was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, and has been a Hall of Fame finalist in recent years.

Erik Williams

A former offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys who was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, and has been a Hall of Fame candidate for several years.

Bill Belichick

The legendary head coach of the New England Patriots, who was not selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class.

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What they’re saying

“Roger Craig had been waiting for 30 years. Darren Woodson is waiting, too. So is Eirk Williams, who's waiting for his name just to be mentioned.”

— Emmitt Smith, NFL Legend (The Rich Eisen Show)

“Erik Williams deserves his flowers because he had to block Reggie White, who's a Hall of Famer. He had to block Michael Strahan. He had to block other guys — Chris Doleman — he had to block those kinds of guys, that are Hall of Famers.”

— Emmitt Smith, NFL Legend (The Rich Eisen Show)

“I know they need me back. But man, I need them to do right. We've done right for a long time. I had to do right for a long time in order to get there. Why shouldn't they have the same methodology? They need to do right, and they need to revamp the whole entire voting process.”

— Emmitt Smith, NFL Legend (The Rich Eisen Show)

What’s next

The Hall of Fame's selection committee will continue to evaluate potential inductees for future classes, and Emmitt Smith's advocacy for Darren Woodson and Erik Williams could sway their consideration.

The takeaway

Emmitt Smith's passionate plea for his former Cowboys teammates to be recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame highlights the ongoing debate around the selection process and the potential for deserving players to be overlooked. His comments underscore the importance of ensuring the Hall of Fame honors the game's greatest contributors, regardless of their era or position.