Troy Aikman was born with club feet. He spent his first three years wearing leg braces. Eventually, thanks to good medical treatment, Aikman grew out of the condition. According to medical research, 1 in 1000 newborns are born with club feet. It's an ironic way for a gifted athlete to begin his life. However, it symbolized the need to overcome challenges in life and in sports. Aikman, like all people, has experienced changes and challenges. He has overcome these challenges throughout his life. His life, like all lives, has been marked by change and transition. In the midst of these changes and challenges, Aikman developed his character and personality.
Aikman was born on November 21st, 1966 in West Covina, California. He liked living in California. He liked riding his bike and developed a strong interest in baseball. In fact, his first dream was to become a professional baseball player. He was a pitcher and a shortstop. Initially, he showed little interest in football.
When he was 12, his parents informed him that the family would be moving to Henryetta, Oklahoma. The family would move to a farm and make their living as farmers. After dealing with leg braces as a child, this became the second major challenge of Aikman's life. He did not want to move away from his friends or from the comfortable California lifestyle that he and his family were used to. However, moving to Henryetta, Oklahoma and working on a farm, would be instrumental in developing Aikman's work ethic and character. As a youth, Aikman did not like his daily farm chores. Milking cows and feeding the pigs did not appeal to a young middle school student. However, Aikman respected his parents and learned about responsibility through these daily chores. It's a lesson that would ultimately serve him well throughout his life.
Growing up in Henryetta, Oklahoma helped him to develop as a person. While speaking to a group of high school students in Henryetta in 2012, Aikman told them "The person that I ultimately have become, things that helped me do some things that helped me do some things athletically were really shaped here in this town...I learned about hard work. I learned about integrity. I learned about character. I learned about your word meaning something...In the process of all that it was supported by this wonderful community... There are a lot of good people here." Aikman clearly was appreciative of the role the Henryetta community played in his development as a person. The people in the community helped him to become a good and responsible person - traits that would serve him well in life and athletics.
Aikman's father got his son his first paying job at 13. When he was 13, Aikman's father told him he was going to learn how to weld. He and his father were taught how to weld by a man who had his own welding company. After being trained, both Aikman and his father worked welding jobs for this company. This job was another opportunity for Aikman to develop his character and learn more about life. Eric Celeste, from "D Magazine" says "So began Troy Kenneth Aikman's first paid job. The pattern of early responsibility had been set." Aikman's father introduced his son to a job and another challenge. It was another challenge that Aikman was given. Through hard work and the guidance of his father, Aikman overcame the challenge and learned from the experience.
Aikman decided to play football because it was his father's favorite sport. Aikman did not consider football until the 8th grade when his father told him that tryouts were approaching. Aikman told Skip Hollandsworth of "TexasMonthly.com" that "Deep down inside I wanted to prove that I was as tough as he was." So, his participation in football began. He created and accepted yet another challenge.
Aikman also experienced success off of the field. In 1983, as a 17 year old, Aikman became Oklahoma's high school typing champion. Cheryl Hall, a business columnist for the Dallas Morning News, says Aikman was inspired to take typing class because of a teacher named Jean Froman. According to Hall, "His year older sister, Tammy, was supposed to be their high school's contender. She was the better typist, but she balked at the thought of competitive pressure." So, Troy Aikman went to the competition instead as the school's representative. After the competition was over, Aikman was announced as the state champion.
After high school, Aikman was offered a chance to join the New York Mets as a baseball player. Despite his love of baseball, Aikman decided to accept a scholarship at the University of Oklahoma. Coach Barry Switzer offered Aikman a scholarship the first time they met.
Aikman played for the Sooners during the 1984 and 1985 season. However, the offensive style of the team did not suit Aikman. According to Tom Coyne, AP Sports Writer, "Aikman ended up working out of a modified wishbone and never felt comfortable. In his first start as a freshman when the starter was injured, the 17 year old Aikman went 2 of 14 passing for 8 yards with three interceptions as the second ranked Sooners lost 28-11 to a Kansas team that entered the game with a 2-5 record." This must of been a challenging experience for Aikman and the Sooners. It was a rude welcome to college football for Aikman and it all but ended the Sooners national championship hopes.
Despite this initial setback, Aikman began the following season as the team's starter. He guided the Sooners to a 3-0 record before experiencing a season ending ankle injury. The following year, the Sooners were fully committed to the wishbone offense. So, Aikman decided to transfer to UCLA, which implemented a more traditional passing game.
Aikman remained undaunted after his struggles at Oklahoma. Aikman persevered and experienced a lot of success at UCLA. Robby Kalland of CBSSports.com says "Over two seasons at UCLA, Aikman completed 64.8 percent of his passes and threw for 5,298 yards, 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. In 1987, Aikman was named the PAC-10 offensive player of the year as the Bruins went 10-2 with a win in the Aloha Bowl over Florida. In 1988, Aikman won the Davey O'Brien Award as the top quarterback in the nation and was named a consensus All-American while finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Bruins went 10-2 again in 1988, winning the Cotton Bowl against Arkansas to end the season." Aikman led the Bruins to back to back double digit winning seasons. He led them to back to back bowl victories and established himself as the consensus number one draft pick in the 1989 NFL draft. After, a slow start to his collegiate career, Aikman finished strong.
Aikman was drafted first by the Dallas Cowboys. This was a new beginning for the Cowboys. Their legendary coach, Tom Landry, had been fired after 29 seasons. Jimmy Johnson, formally of the University of Miami, was taking over the Cowboys. They were a rebuilding team. Aikman completed his first season 0-11 and was injured for 5 games. It was a difficult season for both Aikman and the Cowboys. Leading a rebuilding team was another challenge for Aikman.
The second season was better for Aikman and the Cowboys. The team was a much more competitive team. Aikman threw for 295 yards against the Los Angeles Rams and 354 yards against the Phoenix Cardinals. Both were victories for the Cowboys. The Cowboys were 7-7 after 14 games and had a chance at the playoffs. A big improvement from the previous season. However, in game 15, Aikman separated his shoulder in a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Without Aikman the following week, the Cowboys lost to the Atlanta Falcons 26-7. The loss against Atlanta knocked the upstart Cowboys out of the playoffs. Aikman finished with 11 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. He also had 2,579 passing yards. The numbers were not great, but it was clear that Aikman was adjusting to the pro game. He was developing his professional abilities and the Cowboys seemed poised to take the next step towards the playoffs.
In his third season, Aikman and the Cowboys would indeed make the playoffs. The Cowboys finished 11-5. Aikman finished with 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. It was the first season that he had more touchdown passes than interceptions. He also completed 65.3% of his passes and threw for 2,754 yards. His completion percentage went up each of the first three seasons. Additionally, he threw for more yards each season. Clearly, Aikman was improving as an NFL quarterback. The Cowboys were also improving. However, for the third straight season, Aikman had been injured. He missed four games in 1991. He was ready to return for the Wild Card game against the Chicago Bears. However, coach Jimmy Johnson opted to go with back up quarterback Steve Buerlein, who guided the Cowboys to a 17-14 win at Chicago.
Buerlein started the following week against the Detroit Lions with less success. When the Cowboys were trailing 14-3, Johnson decided to replace Buerlein with Aikman who did not experience any more success than Buerlein. The Lions beat the Cowboys 38-6. The Cowboys could not score a touchdown against the strong Lion defense. Despite the injuries and the playoff loss, it was clear that both Aikman and the Cowboys were improving. The team seemed ready to go deep into the playoffs the next season.
The 1992 season would be a memorable one for both Aikman and the Cowboys. Dallas finished first in the NFC East with a 13-3 record. In 1992, Aikman threw 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He completed 63.8% of his passes and threw for 3,445 yards. He had a quarterback rating of 89.5. It was the most touchdowns and yards of his career.
In 1992, the Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles 34-10 at home in the playoffs. The following week, the Cowboys upset the San Francisco 49ers 30-20. In the fourth quarter of the game against San Francisco, the Cowboys lead 23-20. On the first down play, with everyone expecting a run, Aikman hit wide receive Alvin Harper on a slant route for a 70 yard pass play. It set up a 6 yard touch down pass to Kelvin Martin. The Cowboys advanced to the Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills.
The Cowboys would beat the Bills 52-17 in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys' defense harassed the Bills into committing a Super Bowl record 9 turnovers. Aikman finished the game with 273 yards and four touchdown passes. He completed 73.4% of his passes and finished with an astounding quarterback rating of 140.7.
In his fourth season, Aikman had lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl championship. Additionally, Aikman was named the game's MVP. His career seemed far removed from the challenges of his rookie season or the disappointment of his time at the University of Oklahoma. Perseverance had been rewarded for both the Cowboys and Aikman.
The Cowboys began the next season with two straight losses. Running back Emmitt Smith was holding out for an increase in salary and the Cowboys could not replace Smith's contribution. Repeating as champions seemed to be a difficult task for the Cowboys. However, after Smith returned, the Cowboys improved their overall play. The Cowboys won 7 straight before they lost two games in a row - including a loss to the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day. However, the Cowboys rebounded by winning their final five games. Despite a slow start, Dallas finished the season 12-4.
In his fourth season, Aikman had one of his best campaigns. He finished with 15 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. It was the least number of interceptions for a season that he would throw in his career. He completed 69.1% of his passes and he threw for 3,100 yards. His quarterback rating was a career best of 99.
The Cowboys beat Green Bay 27-17 in the divisional championship game and defeated San Francisco 38-21 in the NFC championship game. Aikman completed 28 of 37 passes and threw for 302 yards against Green Bay. He had three touchdown passes and two interceptions against the Packers. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 177 yards against San Francisco. He had two touchdown passes and no interceptions against the 49ers. He left the game against San Francisco with a concussion. It was uncertain if he would play in the Super Bowl, where the Cowboys would once again play against the Bills.
Concussions are dangerous for anyone. They can do permanent damage to the brain and make a person more susceptible to future concussions. To this day, Aikman has said that he cannot recall playing in this game against the 49ers. When he was talking to his agent, Leigh Steinberg, in the hospital, he did not know why he was there. Steinberg explained to him what had happened. Five minutes later, Aikman asked Steinberg the same question.
The NFL is more aware of it's responsibilities towards player safety than it was in the early to mid 1990's. The league is trying to reduce hits to the head and do it's best to protect the players. Additionally, players today are more aware of the dangers of playing football. It is a tough situation that the league and players are going through. The league is trying to be more respectful of the players, as the players weigh the pros and cons of playing football.
Aikman would play two weeks later against the Bills in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Cowboys won 30-13. Emmitt Smith was named the game's MVP. The Cowboys trailed 13-7 at half time, but their defense shut out the Bills in the second half. The Cowboys became the first team to win the Super Bowl after losing their first two games. Aikman finished with pedestrian statistics. He was 19 of 27 for 207 yards. He had no touchdown passes and one interception. This game belonged to the running of Emmitt Smith and the defense of the Cowboys. However, Aikman had an efficient game and provided leadership on the field. The Cowboys had won back to back Super Bowls. Aikman and the Cowboys were both at the top of their profession.
Despite winning two Super Bowls in a row, the owner and head coach of the Cowboys could not get along. Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson parted ways after Super Bowl 28. Both are headstrong people and they were not able to get along any longer. Johnson had built a strong team that could endure the change. However, it was not a change that Aikman favored. Aikman felt that Johnson gave the team a lot of needed discipline. He did not believe that the discipline was as strong under Barry Switzer, the team's new coach.
The Cowboys finished the 1994 season with a 12-4 record and another NFC East title. Aikman had 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He threw for 2,676 yards and completed 64.5% of his passes. He finished with a quarterback rating of 84.9. Once again, Aikman had an efficient year for the Cowboys. Once again, he provided stable and consistent leadership for the talented team. Yet again, the Cowboys were Super Bowl contenders who were expected to go deep into the playoffs.
The Cowboys defeated the Packers 38-9 in the divisional championship game. The Cowboys' defense shut out the Packers in the second half. Aikman finished with 23 completions in 30 attempts. He threw for 337 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Once again, the Cowboys were going to the NFC championship game. For the third time in a row, the 49ers would be their opponent.
The beginning of the 1995 NFC championship game was a disaster for the Cowboys. Due to various mistakes, the team found themselves trailing the 49ers 21-0 after only 7 minutes and 27 seconds of play. San Francisco defensive back Eric Davis intercepted Aikman's pass on the opening drive and returned it for a touchdown. On the next possession, the 49ers recovered a fumble by Michael Irvin which lead to a touchdown pass from Steve Young to Ricky Watters. Finally, Kevin Williams fumbled the ensuing kick off, which lead to a rushing touchdown by William Floyd.
It was arguably the most deflating beginning to a Cowboy game in their history. The dream of an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl championship had seemingly been shattered in just over 7 minutes. The Cowboys outplayed the 49ers the rest of the way. However, the damage had been done. Despite playing well the rest of the game, the Cowboys lost to the 49ers 38-27. The 49ers would go onto win Super Bowl 29 against the San Diego Chargers.
Entering the 1995 season, the Cowboys faced the challenge of getting back to the Super Bowl. They had won two Super Bowls in a row and made it to three consecutive NFC championship games. They were hoping to have a fourth good year in a row and a return to the Super Bowl.
In 1995, the Cowboys finished 12-4 and won the NFC East. Aikman threw 16 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. He completed 64.8% of his passes and threw for 3,304 yards. His quarterback rating was 93.6. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 30-11 in the Divisional Championship game and defeated the Packers 38-27 in the NFC Championship Game. Aikman played well in both games.
The Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl 30. Aikman completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards. He had one touchdown pass with no interceptions. He played an efficient game and helped the Cowboys' offense to remain steady throughout the game. However, the Cowboys intercepted three of Pittsburgh passes. Larry Brown was named the game's MVP. Brown intercepted Neil O'Donnell, the Steeler quarterback, twice in the second half. Both interceptions lead to touchdowns for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys are the only NFL team to win three Super Bowls in four seasons. However, the Cowboys have not made it back to the Super Bowl since their victory in Super Bowl 30. The Cowboys would win only one more playoff game with Aikman as their quarterback. 5 years after the victory in Super Bowl 30, Aikman retired at age 34 because of persistent back problems.
Aikman now works as a commentator for football games on Fox Sports. He provides insightful commentary on the game and gives a balanced review of both teams playing in the game. He shows respect for the game and the players, but also points out mistakes that are made by either a specific player or a coach. Aikman brings an understanding of the game to the telecasts.
In 1995, Aikman wrote a children's book entitled "Things Change." It attempts to help young people deal with the changes and challenges that they face. It is an attempt to help young people to overcome adversity.
Aikman's life has faced challenges both on and off the field. Aikman has done his best to overcome those challenges. He has done his best to deal with change and difficulty. Aikman has done his best to consistently persevere through struggles and change. Adjustments and struggles are never easy. However, with perseverance and steadfastness , anyone can overcome challenges.
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