The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its list of Modern-Era Players nominated for inclusion in the Class of 2025. Of the 167 players up for a bronze bust this year, 16 are eligible for the first time, including one Cowboys great.
Center Travis Frederick is in good company, with Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Marshawn Lynch, and Adam Vinatieri among the other first-time nominees.
A screening committee will pare the list down to 50 names in mid-October before 25 semifinalists (and then 15 finalists) are named ahead of the selection meeting that will determine next year’s class. Of the 167 nominees, only three to five will be chosen for enshrinement, as per Hall of Fame bylaws.
Here’s a look at the former Cowboys who have taken a first but important step toward Canton.
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QB Tony Romo
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 22, 2013 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The undrafted free agent out of Eastern Illinois didn’t get a combine invite and did nothing more than serve as the holder for placekicks for his first three pro seasons. But after a Week 7 game in 2006 when he replaced an ineffective Drew Bledsoe, he quickly became one of the most beloved Cowboys ever. Over the next 11 seasons, he would amass more than 34,000 yards, throw for 248 touchdowns, and lead 28 fourth-quarter comebacks- all franchise records- en route to four Pro Bowl nods and six playoff appearances.
OC Travis Frederick
HONOLULU, HAWAII – AUGUST 17: Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys calls the offensive line reads during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Aloha Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Frederick was a first-round draft selection in 2013. Considered by some draft analysts to be a reach at the time, the Wisconsin native started every game over his first five seasons and earned a Pro Bowl nod in the last four of them. He met with considerable adversity in 2018, though, when a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome cost him the entire 2018 campaign. Frederick returned in 2019, once again starting every game and being named to the Pro Bowl, before announcing his retirement in spring of 2020.
OT Erik Williams
Jan 30, 1994; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Erik Williams (79) in action against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 30-13. Mandatory Credit: James D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
“Big E” was on track to be perhaps one of the greatest offensive linemen in Cowboys history until a serious automobile accident sidelined him for the back half of his fourth NFL season. He returned to the field in 1995 and played another six seasons, although most believe he was never the same player. Nevertheless, Williams helped the dynasty teams of the ’90s win three Super Bowls, and he personally earned four Pro Bowl nods and was named a first-team All-Pro three times.
DT La’Roi Glover
HONOLULU – FEBRUARY 12: La’Roi Glover #97 of the NFC looks on during the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl against the AFC on February 12, 2006 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC won 23-17. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
A onetime fifth-round draft pick by the Raiders in 1996, Glover really earned his reputation during a five-year stint in New Orleans before joining the Cowboys in 2002. He played for Dallas for four years- appearing in every single game over that time- and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his seasons in Dallas.
LB Ken Norton Jr.
Dec 16, 1989; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton Jr. (51) tackles New York Giants running back Maurice Carthon (44) at Giants Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The son of a former heavyweight boxing champ, Norton was a second-round pick out of UCLA in 1988. He proved to be an instrumental part of the team’s turnaround from 1-15 doormats to back-to-back Super Bowl winners, earning two rings with the Cowboys before moving to San Francisco to claim another. Norton went on to a second career in coaching and is currently the Commanders’ linebackers coach.
Safety Darren Woodson
7 Sep 1997: Defensive back Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals won the game, 25-22. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Woodson is a Hall of Fame nominee for an incredible ninth time, even though his achievements over his 12-year career should have punched his ticket to Canton long ago. The franchise’s all-time leading tackler. Three-time Super Bowl champ. Five-time Pro Bowler. Four-time first-team All-Pro. Ring of Honor member since 2015. Woodson is a two-time finalist for Canton.
Others with notable Cowboys experience
DALLAS – AUGUST 31: Kicker Mike Vanderjagt #13 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to the scoreboard during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 31, 2006 at Texas Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
- RB Eddie George
- LB Keith Brooking
- Kicker Mike Vanderjagt
