On April 16, 2025, Tyron Smith, the cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line, signed a ceremonial contract to officially retire with the team that made him a household name. The event brought a smile to the face of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who remarked, "Officially a Cowboy," signaling the end of an era for both Smith and the franchise.

Jones reflected on the emotional toll of losing Smith to the New York Jets a year prior, stating that the decision felt like losing a family member. "It was like losing a family member when he went to the Jets, really was," Jones said. The departure was bittersweet, as Jones noted that the difficulty of maintaining communication with Smith made the transition harder. However, on this day of retirement, he expressed great joy in signing what he confirmed would be Smith's last contract in the NFL.

Tyron Smith's legacy with the Cowboys spans an impressive 13 seasons, outshining the brief time he spent with the Jets. His retirement comes less than two months after fellow offensive line stalwart, six-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, also retired from the game. Martin had played alongside Smith for a significant portion of his career, further emphasizing the changing landscape of the Cowboys offensive line.

During the retirement ceremony, attended by family, friends, former teammates, and coaches, Smith reflected on his time with the Cowboys and stated, "The moment I stepped into Dallas, I knew this was home." His tenure with the team was marked by remarkable accomplishments, including eight Pro Bowl selections in just nine seasons, and two All-Pro nods. However, his career was marred by injuries, leading him to miss significant time on the field in his later years. Smith acknowledged that the toll of these injuries contributed to his decision to retire. "After this past year and over the years of injuries and things like that, it just kind of felt like it was the right time to hang it up," he said. He expressed a desire to remain healthy for his children in the years to come.

At his peak, Smith was widely regarded as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the history of the Cowboys franchise. Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing in at 320 pounds, he possessed a combination of size and agility that set him apart from his peers. He famously wore knee braces on his elbows yet maintained the athleticism necessary to protect quarterbacks Tony Romo and Dak Prescott from oncoming pass rushers.

Smith was the first of three offensive linemen selected in the first round by Dallas within a four-year span, being drafted as the No. 9 overall pick in 2011. The Cowboys later secured center Travis Frederick in 2013, followed by Zack Martin in 2014. Unfortunately, Frederick also retired after the 2019 season, marking a significant overhaul in the offensive line that had once been considered among the best in the NFL.

Initially, Smith played right tackle in his rookie season at just 20 years old, before making the transition to left tackle in his second yeara position that would define his career. His arrival marked a pivotal rebuilding phase for the Cowboys' offensive line, which soon became a formidable force in the league.

Reflecting on his time with the team, Smith expressed pride in the camaraderie and skill of the offensive line, stating, "You can't beat the group that we had. We felt like we were on top of the world and unstoppable, and it's no better feeling than that." During his time, the Cowboys enjoyed seven winning seasons and made six playoff appearances. However, the team has endured a long drought, having gone 29 years without reaching an NFC championship game since their last Super Bowl victory.

As he bid farewell to the game, Jones lamented the missed opportunity for a Super Bowl victory during Smith's illustrious career. "It is a tragedy that we didn't get a Super Bowl with you sitting out there at that left tackle," Jones remarked. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Smith's impressive accomplishments in the NFL and expressed excitement for the day he would be the first to congratulate him upon entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The legacy of Tyron Smith will undoubtedly endure, as his impact on the game and the franchise remains undeniable.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams, and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!