Jori EpsteinSenior reporterWed, April 22, 2026 at 5:26 PM UTC·2 min readTwenty-five minutes into the Cowboys’ pre-draft news conference Wednesday, team owner Jerry Jones looked out the glass windows to his right and announced a visitor.

“Here’s our President Clinton coming through the door out here,” Jones said. “He’s coming up here to say hello to us.”

Dallas Morning News reporter Joe Hoyt paused his question before continuing: “Well, on that note … ”

Jerry Jones, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, vice president of player personnel Will McClay and head coach Brian Schottenheimer remained at an elevated table fielding questions.

As Jones began to answer the next question, Clinton arrived through the door to the stage’s left to say hello to his fellow Arkansas native.

“He’s been a wonderful not only president but friend over the years,” the 83-year-old Jones told reporters of the 79-year-old Clinton. “Happy to have you today.”

Clinton responded: “Thank you. Glad to see you. Have a good draft day.”

Bill Clinton just showed up to the Cowboys predraft press conference.Interchange between Clinton and Jerry Jones: pic.twitter.com/Ro9mMpfOCN

Jones reflected on the Cowboys visiting the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl during Clinton’s presidency in the 1990s.

Clinton reminisced on Jones’ days playing offensive guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 1960s. “How much did you weigh?” Clinton asked.

Clinton referenced another elite Arkansas guard at that weight before concluding: “It’s a different world right now.”

Schottenheimer was asked minutes later how many times in his career he’d seen a president walk in a predraft news conference.

“That would definitely be a first,” Schottenheimer said.

The Cowboys are scheduled to draft 12th and 20th overall when the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night.