
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, November 8, 1993                   TAG: 9311080075
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

5 YEARS AFTER FIRING, LANDRY HAS HIS DAY

Tom Landry finally came back to Texas Stadium on Sunday - almost five years after he was fired - to become the eighth member of the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor.

Landry, who previously turned down owner Jerry Jones' numerous invitations, decided to accept "my last hurrah."

Jones was booed as he introduced Landry, but Landry said, "I want to thank Jerry for all he did to make this a special day."

Landry joined Bob Lilly, Don Meredith, Don Perkins, Chuck Howley, Mel Renfro, Roger Staubach and Lee Roy Jordan in the Ring of Honor. Landry's name inscribed in silver was placed next to Jordan's on the blue ring under the old press box.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all those guys," Landry said. "I'm just sorry the late [owner] Clint Murchison couldn't be here, because he was a great owner. Clint and Tex Schramm gave us great leadership.

"This is an outstanding day for me. I'm honored."

Schramm, who started the Ring of Honor, watched the halftime ceremony from his private box.

Jones said to Landry: "It would not be the Ring of Honor without you and you being in it."

CBS-TV announcer Pat Summerall was the emcee for the ceremony at halftime of Dallas' 31-9 victory over the New York Giants.

It was Landry's first visit to Texas Stadium since he was fired by Jones in February 1989.

"I have no animosity," Landry said. "Considering what Jerry paid for the team, he had the right to do anything he wanted to. I'm happy with the way the Cowboys are going now. The hard feelings are over."

Invitations were sent to former Cowboys players and front-office personnel, but instead of a picture of Landry, the invitations had a picture of Jones and current coach Jimmy Johnson holding the Super Bowl trophy.

Landry took the Cowboys to five Super Bowls and had 20 consecutive winning seasons. In 29 seasons, he won 270 games.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Giants coach Dan Reeves, who played and coached under Landry, couldn't participate in the ceremony, but said in a taped message, "It's nice to see his name up there where it belongs."

by CNB