Troy Aikman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Aikman's path to glory began in Henryetta, Oklahoma, where he earned All-State honors at high school before accepting a football scholarship over a professional baseball offer from the New York Mets. At the University of Oklahoma under Barry Switzer, he became the first freshman quarterback to start since World War II. His tenure was cut short after breaking his ankle in 1985 against Miami; with backup Jamelle Holieway taking over, the Sooners won the National Championship while Aikman watched. He transferred to UCLA, sitting out a year before leading the Bruins to a 20–4 record over two seasons. As a senior, he threw for 2,771 yards and 24 touchdowns, winning the Davey O'Brien Award and finishing third in Heisman voting. The Dallas media immediately began promoting him as the "next quarterback of the Cowboys" during his 1988 Cotton Bowl victory over Arkansas.

In Their Own Story

Aikman's professional debut was humble; he started with a 28–0 loss to the New Orleans Saints and finished his rookie 1989 season with an 0–11 record as a starter, throwing 9 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. The turning point came in 1991 when injuries forced him out of games, yet he returned to lead Dallas to the playoffs. In Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl, Aikman shattered Joe Montana's record with 89 consecutive passes without an interception during the playoffs, then completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns in a dominant 52–17 victory over the Buffalo Bills. He repeated this mastery in Super Bowl XXVIII, where key turnovers by the Bills and the running of Emmitt Smith secured a 30–13 win. His resilience was tested repeatedly; during the 1993 NFC Championship, he left with a concussion after Dana Stubblefield's knee hit his head, admitting he had no memory of the game. He returned to lead the team to Super Bowl XXX against Pittsburgh, throwing one touchdown pass in a 27–17 victory.

Reader's Guide

The Aikman era is defined by three specific championship runs between 1992 and 1995. His career statistics include setting an NFL rookie record with 379 passing yards against the Phoenix Cardinals and finishing as the number two career passing leader in UCLA history. He was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls starting in 1991. The dynasty relied on a balanced offense featuring running back Emmitt Smith, drafted in 1990, and wide receiver Michael Irvin, who caught Aikman's first NFL touchdown pass. After Jimmy Johnson left in March 1994, Aikman adapted to Barry Switzer, his former college coach. Despite offensive struggles in later years, he became the first Cowboys quarterback with three straight 3,000-yard seasons in 1997. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Did You Know?

• Aikman won the 1983 Oklahoma high school state championship in typing.
• He broke his ankle on October 19, 1985, while playing for Oklahoma against Miami's Jerome Brown.
• In Super Bowl XXVII, Aikman completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns to earn MVP honors.
• His partnership with announcer Joe Buck became the longest tenured announcer pairing in NFL history.
• Aikman was a co-owner of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Racing team from 2005 to 2009 alongside Roger Staubach.