The Pro Football Hall of Fame was already under a lot of criticism when legendary New England Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft were not inducted as first-ballot HOFers, and things amplified today after yet another snub. Legendary Dallas Cowboys’ Darren Woodson wasn’t inducted, and Emmitt Smith went off against the voters.

“The Hall of Fame is trippin,” he said. “What needs to happen is that everybody who voted to keep Belichick out and keep Darren Woodson out need to be revealed. 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.”

This was Woodson’s 18th year of eligibility, and once again, it ended without enough votes to send him to Canton as part of the Class of 2026. Smith’s reaction didn’t really surprise anyone who watched Woodson during his prime, or who understands just how important he was to his team.

Woodson spent his entire career in Dallas after being selected No. 37 overall in the 1992 draft. Over 12 seasons, he became one of the defining players of that era, helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. Along the way, he earned four All-Pro selections, went to five Pro Bowls, and retired as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler.

He ended his career with 23 picks, 95 passes defended, and 864 tackles, but more than that, he was a constant presence on defenses that were built to win championships. Just as impactful as he was on the field, he tried to make the same impact in his community.

Woodson was the recipient of the 2002 Bart Starr Award, an honor given to the NFL player who best exemplifies leadership, character, and service to family, teammates, and community. It’s a recognition that speaks to the full picture of who a player is, beyond what they do on the field. This year, he wanted a different recognition.

Woodson hoped this would be the year he would finally wear the gold jacket.

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“I think I played at the highest levels, and I was a leader of a team, a defense that was special in winning those championships,” Woodson told Fox4. “So yes, absolutely. I probably had a better Hall of Fame career outside of football than I had playing those 12 years in the NFL. I’m grateful whether it happens this year or not.”

That dream will have to wait a little longer, and unfortunately, Woodson wasn’t the only Cowboys legend who was snubbed.

Jason Witten misses out on the gold jacket

One of the greatest tight ends the league has ever seen, Jason Witten, now finds himself grouped with Darren Woodson on the list of Cowboys players who should have been HOFers but have to wait. This was Witten’s first year of eligibility, so he’ll have more chances down the line. Still, that hasn’t stopped fans from questioning the voters.

After Witten was drafted in 2003, he made 10 Pro Bowls in an 11-year span from 2004 through 2014. By the time he retired, he had racked up 1,228 receptions, 13,046 receiving yards, and 74 touchdowns, finishing with the fourth-most catches in NFL history.

Despite having such a solid production, what stood out about him was the durability and reliability. Over a 17-year career with the Cowboys, he missed just one game out of 280, which is a rare feat in the modern NFL. Even after initially retiring following the 2017 season, Witten came back two years later and played 32 consecutive games across the next two.

The frustration around Woodson and Witten is understandable, but at the same time, context matters. The Class of 2026 was crowded with elite talent, and tough calls were inevitable. Among the finalists were Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, and Adam Vinatieri.

It can be argued that no matter which direction the voters went, there was going to be pushback. All the fans can do is hope that Woodson and Kitten make it next year.