On Wednesday, Tyron Smith signed his retirement papers as a Dallas Cowboy. His extraordinary career started back in 2011 when the Niners selected him in the first round. By the time Smith was 20 years old, he was a mainstay on the Cowboys’ offensive line. He was the virtual anchor for a legacy that’s still celebrated with eight Pro Bowl selections and a potential entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2030.
Smith announced his retirement after one season with the New York Jets but has always had the heart of a Dallas Cowboy. In front of a touching crowd at The Star, he signed a ceremonial contract that day, guaranteeing his place as a lifelong Cowboy. This moment was particularly meaningful for Smith. More than anything, tho, it meant a lot to team owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who has been alongside Smith since the beginning of his start with the franchise.
It was head coach Jason Garrett’s first draft choice as the club’s full-time head coach. Smith was similarly the Cowboys’ first offensive lineman picked in the first round since 1981. This event, the “biggest cut in history,” as one employee called it, served as the tipping point that changed the Cowboys’ O-line. It affected their future drafts, making them choose four other first-round offensive linemen — Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Tyler Smith and Tyler Guyton.
At least one player, Jones, isn’t hiding his excitement, even after Smith turned 31 before last season. He characterized Smith’s departure to the Jets as a significant loss, saying, “It was like losing a family member when he went to the Jets. Really was.” Jones remembered the harrowing task of trying to keep constant lines of communication with Smith open. “I couldn’t talk to him. I couldn’t have small talk,” he added.
In an emotional moment, Jones signed, sealed, delivered he’s committed to Smith’s legacy. “So it was with great pleasure that I put that old ‘Jones’ on this contract today that will be the last one he signs in the NFL,” he said. He further remarked on the honor of having been both a teammate and an admirer of Smith’s achievements, stating, “It is an honor… to say that you were a Dallas Cowboy in your career.”
As Smith looks towards life after football, he thinks back to what he wanted to do when he first came into the league. “I think I have the potential to be a Pro Bowler and be a Hall of Famer,” he had expressed during his initial media meeting in 2011. He is a current Hall of Fame finalist who already has eight Pro Bowl selections under his belt. His hopes are not too far away, with new Hall of Fame eligibility starting in 2030.
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