The Dallas Cowboys honored former strong safety Darren Woodson with the Tom Landry Award at the team’s final preseason practice held Wednesday at The Star in Frisco. The franchise presents this award annually to recognize a Cowboys great for efforts both on and off the field.
Woodson, who played his entire 12-year career with the Cowboys, was a key contributor during the team’s Super Bowl years and earned three straight All-Pro honors, including in 1995 when Dallas last won a Super Bowl. He received the award from Hall of Famer Drew Pearson, the legendary wide receiver who won the honor in 2024.
According to Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com, “Off the field, his legacy continues as Woodson has made significant contributions to his community, both in Dallas and Phoenix, where he grew up and went to high school and college at Arizona State. (…) Currently living in Dallas, Woodson is an active board member at C5 Youth Foundation of Texas, which helps high potential youth with limited resources become successful and responsible leaders in their communities.”
On-field performance also distinguished Woodson throughout his career. He helped Dallas win three Super Bowls, including 1993 when he finished second on the team in tackles (155) as the Cowboys clinched their second straight championship. Woodson earned five Pro Bowl selections and is enshrined in the Cowboys Ring of Honor. More than 30 Cowboys alumni attended as Woodson accepted his accolade, among them former teammates Charles Haley, Daryl Johnston, Tony Casillas and Kevin Smith.
Despite being a finalist for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for three consecutive years, Woodson has not yet been chosen for Canton.
“I gotta deal with it,” Woodson said according to Cowboys.com. “I mean, it just is what it is, man. It sucks, I wish I could walk in and grab that gold jacket, it’s painful man, it really is.” (…) “I felt like I worked hard on my game, at the same time, it’s out of my control. I’m not controlling the situation, but it still feels like failure to me.”
Woodson continued about reflecting on his career: “I had plenty of opportunities when I was playing to take it out of the writers’ hands and to control the narrative as far as my play. Not only that, but having conversations with my position coaches to play one position instead of three positions. I could have controlled that narrative.”
Woodson remains recognized as the franchise leader in solo tackles (827).
