We are quick and excited to list Dallas Cowboys legends DeMarcus Ware and Darren Woodson, along with Chuck Howley, as candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
But also worthy of mention - in a Cowboys capacity but much more - former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zack Thomas.
And Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson is making Thomas' case.
"I have coached, recruited or drafted 16 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Zach is without question as deserving as all of them," Johnson said in a message on Twitter.
That is remarkably high praise for the Texas Tech product, who played in the NFL with the Dolphins (where he was coached for a time by Johnson) from 1996 to 2007 before the Texas native closed his on-field career in Dallas in 2008.
Thomas was a five-time first-team All-Pro and is a member of the 2000s All-Decade team. And yes, those accomplishments echo those of the aforementioned Cowboys.
Ware, the all-time sack leader for the Cowboys with 117 sacks, finished his career with seven All-Pro selections (four first-team), nine Pro Bowls honors, two sack titles (2008, 2010) a Super Bowl win with the Denver Broncos and a spot on the NFL 2000s All-Decade team.
Woodson (see "I Burn Hot!'') has been a semifinalist for the HOF on six occasions, and coming into this year had never advanced beyond that. Woodson retired following the 2003 season as the franchise's all-time leading tackler who was also a five-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, and a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Howley is a senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2023. The former Super Bowl MVP linebacker was a five-time first-team All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler.
The final inductees will be announced on Super Bowl Week on Feb. 9 during the NFL Honors TV show. The full list of final-15 candidates is here.
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