Cowboys' Dez Bryant Reacts To Being A Candidate for Pro Hall of Fame

One of the greatest honors an NFL player can receive is earning a gold jacket which is the attire of being in one of the most prestigious clubs in sports, and that’s being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A recognition reserved for the best to ever play the game. With the mandatory five-year waiting period since retirement now complete, Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant is officially eligible and has been named a candidate for the 2026 Hall of Fame class.

Although he has been named as an expected candidate for some time, he recently took to Instagram to express his gratitude, saying:

“I’m thankful to be considered. To see my name next to the rest of these legends — it’s such a blessing. I am extremely thankful.”

The “legends” he's referring to include fellow nominees like Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Julian Edelman, and even his former teammate and longtime Cowboys tight end, Jason Witten.

It’s an accomplishment that feels well-deserved for Bryant, whose dominance on the field was hard to ignore. In his nine-season NFL career, Dez totaled 7,506 receiving yards and 75 touchdowns. He was named to three Pro Bowls, earned First-Team All-Pro honors once, and cemented his legacy in Dallas Cowboys history by setting franchise records — including most career receiving touchdowns (73) and most single-season receiving touchdowns (16).

But earning a gold jacket isn’t easy, being named a candidate is just the first step. The Hall of Fame selection process is extensive, beginning with a wide pool of nominees that is gradually narrowed down. Eventually, a group of finalists is chosen and voted on by the selection committee. Each year, only 4 to 8 players are inducted, making the competition extremely tough.

With so many other players still waiting, many of whom have longer careers, more accolades, and Super Bowl titles — Bryant’s chances of actually being inducted are worthy of speculate.

But Cowboys fans can dream here of the Hall of Fame while also hoping Dez will be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor — a well-deserved recognition for one of the franchise’s all-time greats.