Emmitt Smith Sounds Off on Darren Woodson’s Hall of Fame Snub: “It’s a Crying Shame”
Super Bowl week always brings a flurry of headlines - some on the field, and plenty off it. One of the biggest off-field moments every year is the announcement of the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame class. And while the Class of 2026 features some undeniable greats, there's one omission that’s turning heads - and raising voices.
That voice? Emmitt Smith’s. And the Hall of Fame voters definitely heard it.
The NFL’s all-time leading rusher didn’t mince words when asked about the latest inductees. While he tipped his cap to the five who made it - including legends like Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Seniors Committee selection Roger Craig - Smith was fired up over who didn’t make the cut. Most notably, his longtime Cowboys teammate, safety Darren Woodson.
“The Hall of Fame is trippin’”
Smith didn’t hold back, calling for full transparency from Hall of Fame voters. His frustration was clear, and it centered around what he views as a baffling lack of recognition for Woodson - a player he believes has long earned his place in Canton.
“What needs to happen is everybody who voted to keep Belichick out and to keep Darren Woodson out, all their votes need to be revealed,” Smith said. “They need to go through the same scrutiny that all players go through every day of our lives when we play the game of football and have to answer the questions. They need to be answering these questions.”
Smith didn’t stop there. He called Woodson’s continued absence from the Hall “a crying shame,” and while he acknowledged Roger Craig’s induction - and the San Francisco connection - he made it clear that he felt Woodson's credentials should’ve spoken louder.
“I want to know all of the buttwipes that voted against Belichick and also voted against Darren Woodson. I want to know who they are. I want to know why they voted that way.”
Woodson’s Resume Speaks for Itself
Let’s be clear: Darren Woodson wasn’t just a key piece of those dominant Cowboys teams in the '90s - he was the backbone of their defense. A three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler, and three-time First-Team All-Pro, Woodson spent his entire 12-year career in Dallas. He still holds the franchise record for tackles.
And when you look at the numbers, the case only gets stronger. According to Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame Monitor - a stat that estimates a player’s chances of getting in - Woodson’s score is higher than that of John Lynch, who was inducted in 2021, and Eric Allen, who went in just last year.
So, the question becomes: what’s the holdup?
Woodson Takes the High Road
Despite the disappointment of being passed over for the fourth straight year, Woodson remained composed and respectful, choosing not to criticize the process.
“You know, I don't take shots at the voting process… I just don't,” he said. “There's just a code of the process at hand.
Like, you get a call, and they tell you, you made it or didn't make it. You basically just adhere to that code.”
Woodson made it clear he still celebrates those who did get in, even if the call didn’t come for him.
“If you don't get in, it sucks. But you still honor the guys who did make it. We should be celebrating those guys.”
That’s classic Woodson - a leader on the field, and a class act off it.
Witten Also Misses the Cut
It wasn’t just Woodson who came up short. Longtime Cowboys tight end Jason Witten also failed to earn induction in his first year on the ballot. And while he didn’t make it this time, his numbers suggest it’s only a matter of time.
Witten’s 1,228 receptions rank fourth in NFL history. His 13,046 receiving yards place him 22nd all-time and second among tight ends - trailing only Tony Gonzalez.
That résumé will eventually punch his ticket to Canton. But if he doesn’t get in soon, don’t be surprised if Emmitt Smith is once again the loudest voice in the room.
The Bottom Line
Emmitt Smith’s frustration isn’t just about Darren Woodson - it’s about what players sacrifice, what they accomplish, and the recognition they deserve. And when a player like Woodson, with the rings, the stats, and the impact, continues to be overlooked, it’s hard not to ask the same questions Smith is asking.
The Hall of Fame is a place for the game’s best - and by every measurable standard, Darren Woodson belongs in that conversation. Whether it’s next year or further down the line, his time should come. Until then, expect his former teammates - and a growing chorus of fans - to keep pushing for justice.