Jerry Jones hails 'wonderful' friend Bill Clinton during surprise visit to Cowboys draft presser

FRISCO, TEXAS: Bill Clinton on Wednesday, April 22, made an unexpected appearance at the Dallas Cowboys' pre-draft press conference, where team owner Jerry Jones warmly welcomed the former Democratic president.

Despite Jones' history of supporting Republican candidates, he hailed Clinton as a "wonderful" president and a longtime friend during the surprise visit.

Bill Clinton makes surprise visit to Cowboys headquarters

The media event in Frisco took a sudden turn when Bill Clinton walked into the room about halfway through the hourlong session.

Despite the fact that Jones has donated millions to President Donald Trump's political campaigns, he showed great affection for the Democrat. 

“He’s been a wonderful, not only president, but a friend over the years,” Jones told the reporters.

He added that he was “really happy to have" the former president there. 

Clinton kept his comments short, telling Jerry Jones, “Thank you, happy to see you. Have a good draft day.”

Jerry Jones recalls Clinton’s surprising knowledge of the 1964 Hogs roster

The bond between the two men goes back decades to their home state of Arkansas.

Jones was a co-captain on the 1964 Arkansas Razorbacks championship team, and he recalled how Clinton used to follow the team closely as a young man.

Jones also told a story about visiting the White House years ago and being shocked that Clinton knew every player on that 1964 roster by heart. 

“He was a young guy that was following the Hogs feverishly, mainly over the radio,” Jones said.

He noted that the former president “sat there, unprepared, and gave me the team three deep when we were there that day.”

Jones told the press, “So he’s a good man to have as a fan.”

Bill Clinton and Jerry Jones joke about how much football has changed

The conversation turned into a lighthearted back-and-forth about how much football has changed since Jones was a player.

Clinton teased the owner, making him admit that he only weighed 160 lbs. when he played offensive guard in college.

Today, NFL linemen usually weigh over 300 lbs. Clinton joked that “it’s a different world now” and teased that if Jones tried to play at his current age, he would be known as “the late Jerry Jones.”

While the meeting was friendly, Jones has also been very close to Trump.

In fact, Jones once made a joke about his own power by referencing a military operation Trump led, saying, "Trump just said it. I’m running Venezuela."

As the Cowboys prepare for the draft in Pittsburgh with the 12th and 20th picks, this moment served as a rare display of bipartisan friendship.