The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 54 semifinalists for the Class of 2023 in the seniors, coach/contributor categories yesterday and there were a handful of potential inductees with ties to the Dallas Cowboys.
The 12-person senior committee shortened a list of eligible nominees to 25 semifinalists, who last played no later than the 1996 season. Separately, the coach/contributor committee selected 29 semifinalists who advanced to the next round of consideration.
Former cornerback Everson Walls, linebacker Chuck Howley, former player and assistant coach Dan Reeves, former personnel executive Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, former owner and founder Clint Murchison Jr., and former scout and director of pro personnel John Wooten were all named of the 54 finalists.
Walls played most of his career with the Cowboys, he made three All-Pro teams, four Pro Bowls, and led the NFL in interceptions three times while a member of Dallas. He ended his career with the Giants and Browns.
Howley made the Pro Bowl six times and five first-team All-Pro selections during his outstanding career. He started his journey with the Bears in the late 50s and then called the Cowboys home from 1961 to 1973. Howley is also the only player in NFL history to win the Super Bowl MVP and be a part of the losing team.
Murchison Jr. was the founder of the Cowboys (1960) and owner through 1983. Wooten was the Director of Pro Scouting for the Dallas from 1975 to 1991.
Kilroy Worked in player personnel and was a scout for Dallas from 1965 to 1970. He then became the Patriots’ general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.
Reeves was most known for being the head coach of the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and the Atlanta Falcons, but Reeves was a player for the Cowboys from 1965 to 1972. He also spent a handful of seasons on Tom Landry’s staff and won a pair of Super Bowls.
