Dallas Cowboy football legend Daryl “Moose” Johnston will take to the main stage to kick things off as general session speaker at ESX 2026, which will be held June 1st through 4th at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. The former fullback and three-time Super Bowl Champion will be a powerfully inspirational speaker.

“Daryl Johnston’s genius wasn’t in the spotlight — it was in making Emmitt Smith unstoppable,” said George De Marco, chairman, ESA. “That’s exactly the leadership mindset our industry needs right now. As security professionals face workforce challenges, evolving customer expectations and pressure to do more with less, Johnston’s insights on building trust and creating a culture where people take ownership will give attendees a practical framework they can apply immediately.”

No stranger to speaking, this revered sports broadcaster also knows his way well around the executive suite. He was the general manager of the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019, the director of player personnel for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL in 2020, and served as the executive vice president of football operations for the revived incarnation of the USFL for its inaugural season, its president for the USFL’s second season, and returned for two more years to the executive vice president role when the USFL merged with the XFL to form the United Football League. 

The general session will be presented on the main stage at ESX on June 3 from 10:30 a.m. – noon. Johnston will unpack the habits that can turn quiet potential into confident performance and that create a culture where people take ownership because they feel seen. A leading fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, Johnston is truly a team player and was the main blocker relied upon by all-time NFL rushing leader and Cowboy’s star playmaker Emmitt Smith. Johnson will impart how to build trust and confidence to make “good teammates” into difference-makers. Attendees will leave with a practical playbook for lifting others up, so wins become repeatable and confidence becomes contagious.