FORMER Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson was seen holding back tears last night when he was told on live TV that he would be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Johnson, who won two Super Bowls in his five seasons coaching the Dallas side, was surprised with an announcement made during halftime of the Packers' playoff victory over the Seahawks.

The announcement was the second made over the weekend, with former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher having been told on Saturday that he would be part of the Hall's Class of 2020.

Johnson served as head coach at the Cowboys from 1989 to 1993, and is widely credited with helping to reverse the team's fortunes.

He moved to the Miami Dolphins in 1994 before retiring in 1999, and now works as a studio analyst for Fox NFL Sunday.

Interrupting a segment during halftime of Sunday night's game, David Baker, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told Johnson: "Thank you, Coach, for all you've done for the game.

"Thank you for the history that you've made and the lives you've impacted."

After being congratulated by his fellow pundits, a visibly emotional Johnson said: "The only thing I can think of is all the assistant coaches that have worked for me, all the great players that have played for me, they're the reason I'm here.

"I can't talk.

"This is so special to me, because when you put in the work that we put in, it's nice to know people appreciate it."

'OUR DREAMS CAME TRUE'

Among Johnson's co-hosts were multiple other Hall of Fame inductees, including Michael Strahan, Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, and Tony Gonzalez.

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who played under Johnson, was also seen welling up while watching the broadcast from Green Bay.

Businessman Jerry Jones, who hired Johnson after buying the Cowboys in 1989, described Johnson as a "great coach".

“To Jimmy I say, ‘The stars were aligned and our dreams came true when we joined the Dallas Cowboys’," he said.

“And on behalf of the Cowboys, and our fans all over the world, I say congratulations Jimmy.

"We’re proud of you.”

This year's Hall of Fame class is being billed as the Centennial Slate to mark the 100th season of the NFL.

Johnson will be the Hall's 328th inductee.

This year's full 15-member slate is set to be announced on Wednesday on the NFL Network's Good Morning Football.

As well as coaches Johnson and Cowher, it will include ten former players and three so-called contributors – individuals other than players or coaches.

Five modern-era players will also be added after a vote by the Hall of Fame's Selection Committee ahead of the Super Bowl on February 2.

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