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Jerry Jones Facing Backlash After Jimmy Johnson Retirement Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 4, 2025 9:01 AM ET

After 27 years working as an analyst for Fox Sports and as a commentator for "Fox NFL Sunday," Jimmy Johnson has announced his retirement.

On Monday, the former Dallas Cowboys coach joined "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" to reveal his big career decision.

"But I’ve made an extremely difficult decision,” Johnson said. “I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from Fox. I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys. I’ll see them occasionally. It’s been a great run starting 31 years ago.”

On Tuesday, a day after the news broke, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones made an official statement regarding Johnson's retirement.

"From the time we were in college until the time we were holding up those Super Bowl trophies, I knew Jimmy Johnson could be anything he wanted to be, and he has," Jones wrote. "Some of the most exciting times in my life I shared with Jimmy, and I cherish them. As one of the most gifted people I've ever been around, Jimmy has blazed a remarkable, unique trail that is now deeply embedded into football and broadcasting history. Congratulations on your incredible career, Jimmy, and I wish you well in your fourth quarter, my friend. You will always be a winner!"

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— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 4, 2025

Despite the heartfelt comments from Jones, many NFL fans seem to remember the 30-year-long beef between him and Johnson. After the Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls in the early 1990s, Jones elected to dismiss Johnson after the two had a disagreement on decision-making power.

Some of these fans took to social media to leave their thoughts on Jones' latest comments.

"Good tribute to the guy who built a dynasty and Jerry Jones decided he preferred mediocrity instead…" one fan said.

"The reason the Cowboys have sucked for 30 years is because you fired Jimmy," added another.

"You told Jimmy 'I can get 100 coaches to coach this team' and you fired him," wrote a third.

"We need Jerry gone!!!!" commented a fourth.

"Same man who fired Jimmy Johnson because he wasn’t getting credit for the Super Bowl runs FOH Jerry," posted a fifth.

"You fired Jimmy because he got too much credit for winning you those Super Bowl trophies. No one forgot," added a sixth.

Jones and Johnson squashed their beef, so to speak, toward the end of the 2023 season. It took about 30 years, but Jones finally elected to put Johnson in the Cowboys Ring of Honor — an honor the Hall of Fame coach deserved.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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