Cowboys' Jerry Jones Credits Michael Irvin for Hall of Fame Induction

The Dallas Cowboys owner says his star player helped him get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed that he credits former star wide receiver Michael Irvin for helping him get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Jones said that being around Irvin's "winning mentality" and "winning physicality" during his time with the Cowboys was instrumental in Jones earning a gold jacket.

Why it matters

This admission from Jones highlights the significant impact that Irvin had on the Cowboys' dynasty in the early 1990s, not just as a dominant player but also in helping shape the team's winning culture under head coach Jimmy Johnson. Irvin's influence extended beyond the field and helped propel Jones' own legacy as a Hall of Fame owner.

The details

Irvin played 12 seasons for the Cowboys, racking up a league-high 1,523 receiving yards in 1991 and winning three Super Bowls. Jones credits Irvin's leadership and winning pedigree, which he developed under Johnson at the University of Miami, as being crucial to the Cowboys' success during that era. Jones said he "wouldn't have the gold jacket" without Irvin's contributions as a player.

  • Irvin played for the Cowboys from 1988 to 1999.
  • Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

The players

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys since 1989 and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Michael Irvin

A Hall of Fame wide receiver who played 12 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, winning three Super Bowls and establishing himself as one of the most dominant receivers of his era.

Jimmy Johnson

The head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1993, leading the team to two Super Bowl championships.

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What they’re saying

“Let me say this, what I'm for is for whatever Michael Irvin is for. I have a gold jacket. I wouldn't have the gold jacket had Michael Irvin not played for the Cowboys, in a manner of speaking.”

— Jerry Jones (TMZ)

What’s next

The Cowboys are hoping to build on their recent struggles and return to contention in the 2026 NFL season, with Irvin expressing optimism about the team's future under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

The takeaway

Jerry Jones' admission underscores the profound impact that Michael Irvin had on the Cowboys' dynasty in the early 1990s, both as a dominant player and in helping shape the team's winning culture. Irvin's influence extended beyond the field and played a key role in Jones' own Hall of Fame induction, highlighting the lasting legacy of one of the NFL's all-time great receivers.