All-Pro Safety Kevin Byard Drops Truth Bomb on Bears’ Future Ahead of Free Agency

Dallas – "The last straw" – that was the emotion Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith couldn’t hold back after the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was made at the NFL Honors on February 5, 2026. When the name Darren Woodson – his former teammate and defensive cornerstone of the Cowboys' 3 Super Bowl dynasty – was once again left off the list of inductees, Emmitt Smith exploded on social media and in interviews, calling it a "criminal snub" and declaring, "The Hall of Fame is trippin'." Woodson, the legendary safety with 18 years of eligibility, had been a finalist for 4 consecutive years (2023–2026) but still didn’t receive enough votes (at least 80% from the 50-member committee). The 2026 class only included 5 modern-era members: Drew Brees (QB), Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Luke Kuechly (LB), Adam Vinatieri (K), and Roger Craig (RB from the Seniors Committee). Woodson – with 3 Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX), 5 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections, and the all-time tackles record for the Cowboys (1,350) – was once again overlooked, despite many considering him the "defensive catalyst" of the Cowboys' 1990s dynasty. Emmitt Smith, who played alongside Woodson during the Cowboys' glory years, couldn’t keep his composure. In a fiery response immediately after the announcement, he said:"This is an unacceptable decision. It’s hard to believe, I think this award has lost its credibility. It's baffling that names like Drew Brees and Luke Kuechly were selected, but not him. I need a proper explanation from the committee – who voted against it, and why? What are they hiding behind these votes?" Smith's criticism didn’t stop at his personal feelings. He also called for transparency: "The people who voted to leave Darren Woodson and Bill Belichick out need to be named. They’re hiding behind this lack of transparency." Smith emphasized that Woodson was far more deserving than some of the inductees and that overlooking him was a "huge mistake" by the Hall of Fame. Cowboys fans quickly rallied on social media, with the hashtags #WoodsonHOF and #JusticeForWoodson trending. Many agreed that this was "long overdue," especially when compared to players like Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed – safeties who were inducted earlier despite having similar or even fewer stats in certain areas. Woodson has not made an official comment immediately after the announcement, but previously, he said on PFT Live that he "always wanted" to be in the Hall of Fame but didn’t push for it because he believed his accomplishments should speak for themselves. Now, with only 2 more years as a finalist in the modern-era category, the pressure is building – and Smith's support may be the motivation needed to push for change. The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 has ended with much controversy, but Emmitt Smith's "last straw" moment may be the loudest voice showing that the selection process still has significant flaws. Will Woodson be recognized in 2027, or will he have to wait for the Seniors Committee? The answer remains uncertain, but the anger of a legend like Smith has made the entire NFL community rethink the process.