Tyron Smith, cornerstone of dominant Dallas OL, officially retires with Cowboys

Tyron Smith signed the ceremonial contract allowing the standout left tackle to retire with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, and prompting beaming owner Jerry Jones to declare, "Officially a Cowboy."

Jones wasn't smiling a year ago when the Cowboys made the business decision to move on from the longtime anchor of their offensive line because of injuries, which led to Smith signing with the New York Jets.

"It was like losing a family member when he went to the Jets, really was," Jones said. "And I couldn’t talk to him, I couldn’t have a small talk. I had a tough time talking, picking up that phone when he left us. And 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."

Those 13 seasons with the Cowboys easily won out, particularly since it's been less than two months since six-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, Smith's teammate for 10 years, retired after spending all 11 of his seasons in Dallas.

"The moment I stepped into Dallas," Smith said at a retirement ceremony attended by the 34-year-old's family and plenty of former teammates and coaches, "I knew this was home."

Smith made eight Pro Bowls in a nine-season span that included both of his All-Pro nods. But the injuries piled up, and he didn't play a complete season over his final nine years after missing just one game through his first five seasons.

"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," Smith said. "I don't want to be that guy down the line where I'm struggling, and I want to be healthy for my kids."

At his best, Smith was perhaps the most dominant lineman in the storied franchise's history