Aikman memories
DallasNews.com readers share their favorite memories of Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman represented the Dallas Cowboys unlike any player in recent
memory. In a world in which the likes of Ray Carruth plead innocence,
and accolades are poured upon an accused murderer in Ray Lewis, Try Aikman
proved to be someone the youth of today could admire and hope to emulate.
The toughness and leadership he displayed on the field of battle go far
beyond what many of us who bemoan his presence can possibly fathom. As
Cowboys fans, we should look back on the wonderful memories he brought
us all. The 1992 NFC title game against the 49ers, three unforgettable
Super Bowl titles, glory to a struggling franchise. Stepping onto the
field on Sunday afternoons with diminishing skills would simply dim the
luster of an amazing legacy he created over the past decade. It was his
time to go. The fans appreciate this fact, Troy acknowledges his own limitations,
and ultimately, it was simply time for Troy and the franchise to part
ways. Thanks for the memories.
- Chris Callas, Fayetteville, Ark.
The cosmic twinship shared by Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin was a beautiful
thing to watch and will remain a favorite memory. Their pinpoint precision
appeared at times practically effortless and seemed to almost transcend
the mere game of football. That pair was something special.
- Joni Baker, Dallas
I think that he always stood above the crowd. He never let his fame and
money cloud his judgment, unlike several others. He always gave his best,
on and off the field. I always enjoyed seeing him in the hospitals, visiting
the children. He is a class act and will always, always be revered in the
Dallas area.
- Gayle Husband, Quinlan, Texas
After the third Super Bowl win, a TV reporter asked Troy how it felt. Troy
said it was a, "relief, because so much is expected from this football team."
It made me believe he cared about us Cowboy fans, and was happy he truly
lived up to our expectations ... three Super Bowls in four years, even one
against those darned Steelers ... Thanks, Troy!!!
- Tim Hall, Wadesville, Ind.
What sticks out most in my mind is the NFC Championship game from the '94
season where the Cowboys were defeated, 38-28, by the 49ers. Down 21-0 early
in the game, Troy showed the poise and leadership of the champion that he
is. He never gave up during that game or over his whole career. Someone
else will be the QB for the Cowboys, but there will be only one Troy Aikman
- you will be missed.
- Steve Harnish, Lawrenceville, Ga.
My favorite memory of Troy was in 1989, in the Washington game where he
was knocked out on a perfect touchdown pass. They lost the game and 14 others
that year, but true fans knew he was something special with that type of
concentration, knowing he was about to be pummelled. A close second, though,
is the overtime pass to Rocket Ismail last year against Washington on opening
day to get the overtime win. Many many good memories.
Rod Boyles, Round Rock, Texas
My favorite memory of Troy was right after he threw his fourth TD of Super
Bowl XXVII, and he was running down field with his finger pointing No. 1.
I always thought that image represented the Cowboys. great run of the early
and mid 1990s. I will miss watching Troy quarterback the Cowboys a great
deal.
- Eddie Robeson, Frisco, Texas
I cannot point to one memory in particular. I reflect now on every Sunday/Monday
Night/Thanksgiving Day/NFC Championship/Super Bowl game the man played in.
Every game I had my Aikman jersey on with my Wilson NFL football in one
hand and my Cowboys glass in the other. I lived and died with each win and
loss, but through it all I stood behind Troy and what he represented as
an ambassador to the game in general, and the Cowboys in particular. He
will be missed, but not forgotten. I knew this day would come eventually,
but I was not prepared for it to come 3-7-01. Today I salute the man who
pushed Roger Staubauch into second place as my all-time sports hero. Thanks,
Troy.
- Allen Weems, Jonesborough, Tenn.
My favorite Troy Aikman memory is his fifth and final TD pass in Super Bowl
XXVII. He dropped back, slipped and almost fell, caught himself and then
threw a beautiful bomb to Alvin Harper to seal the game. Then he ran around
the field with his index finger in the air to announce to the world that
we were No. 1. There are plenty of moments, but that one will always stick
out in my mind.
- Michael Armon, Excelsior Springs, Mo.
My favorite memory was in the 1994 NFC championship game against the 49ers.
San Francisco had the best defense and when the 'Boys got down, 21-0, Troy
threw for almost 400 yards. Thank you so much, Troy, for the gentleman that
you are and I'll always keep my No. 8 jersey for as long as I live.
Chad Martin, Minneapolis, Minn.
My favorite memory of Troy Aikman has to be the numerous commercials I would
see him in where he was visiting kids in hospitals. No one says that superstars
like Aikman have to do any of that, and some do it just for PR. But I feel
in my heart that Aikman really cares about those kids and the community
in whole. Thanks for the memories, Troy.
- Darrell Crawford, Princeton, Texas
My favorie memory of Troy Aikman was back in January of 1993. Troy got to
play in the Super Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in front of the same fans who
watched him play for UCLA. Troy was so excited, playing the game of his
life, in front of his college town. He was living out his childhood dream
in front of millions of people. I think that this was the happiest time
in Troy's life. He played his heart out and earned his MVP award that day.
I have had the opportunity to meet and talk to Troy and he agrees with me
that 1993 was one of the best years he had with the Dallas Cowboys. I am
truly going to miss Troy. However, I think that it is best for Troy to move
on with his life and open some other doors of opportunity for himself and
his family. I wish Troy and his family the best of luck in the future and
a healthy new baby later this year.
- Michele L. Gurno, Mansfield, Texas
My favorite memory of Troy is actually a game we lost. It was a game that
many feel marked the turning point in Cowboys' dominance during the mid
'90s. It was a game in which two future Hall of Fame athletes put up career
numbers in less than favorable conditions; against arguably the highest-profile
opposition they would face during each athlete's 12-year tenure with America's
Team. A game in which Troy Aikman, a QB noted for his difficulties throwing
a wet football, passed for an NFC Championship record 450-plus yards, while
covered head to toe in mud. A game in which we also saw Michael Irvin consistently
outmuscle Dieon Sanders, arguably the best man-to-man cover corner in NFL
history, for a career best 200-plus yards. It was also the first true test
of heart for an up-and-coming rookie lineman. A lineman who played the entire
game in mud with a sprained ankle wrapped to the size of a bowling ball.
That rookie lineman was Larry Allen. This game was not only the greatest
in the careers of Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin, but one of the greatest
football games ever played. Troy Aikman should be remembered as one of the
greatest to ever play the game of football; just as Irvin and Emmitt. Aikman
was an absolute surgeon who could slice and dice you like none other. Aikman
has been known as "The Ice Man" in our household since that 1994 NFC Championship
game.
- Jason Hensley, Colorado Springs, Colo.
I have to say that my favorite memory of Troy Aikman was his nearly flawless
performance in Super Bowl XXVII. Running across the field with that one
finger raised in the air. Pristine white jersey flapping in the wind, the
Rose Bowl lights gleaming off of the bright silver helmet. Time seemed to
stand still, if just for that moment. No matter what helmet or uniform you
wear next year, you'll always be a Cowboy in the hearts and minds of all
REAL Cowboy fans. Goodbye and good luck Troy -- with whatever you do.
- Gilbert Solis
I certainly have had many great memories of Troy, but the one that sticks
out the best was Troy's performance in the first Super Bowl the Cowboys
won in the 1990s. His precision and leadership that day was phenomenal and
that was a product of his wonderful qualities of a football leader and of
a human being. His persona and kindness off the field is what I will ultimately
remember him for. Troy Aikman epitomizes what a athlete should be on and
off the field. He is "THE COWBOYS"!
- Sadri Jazayeri, Irvine, Calif.
Troy Aikman was the ultimate professional. For the Cowboys, he was dedicated,
hard-working and team-oriented. How many times did he re-do his contract
for the betterment of the team? He was a quality person off the field and
all his work with the foundation and the hospitals. Unfortunately, football
is a business and his health lately did not help. Fans should appreciate
all he did for this organization and feel blessed for such a quality person
who helped to lead the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowls.
- Barry Griffith, Reading, Pa.
I've been a Cowboy fan since I went to my first game at the Cotton Bowl
in 1965. We've had many great wins in those years but two losses have always
stuck in my craw, the one to San Francisco (28-27) in the January 1982 Championship
Game and the one to Pittsburgh (35-31) in SBXIII. I swore we would get even
for both. I moved to SF from Dallas for business in 1985. When the Cowboys
played SF in the January 1993, I got my ticket early, and as the game got
closer I had this overwhelming sense that this was what I had been waiting
for. We would get our magic back on the very same field where we lost eleven
years ago. I went to the hotel where the Cowboys were staying on the eve
of the big game. When the Cowboys were getting on their buses to go to the
practice facility at SF State, I waited in line with a few hundred other
Cowboy fans. I really did not know why I was there but when I saw Troy coming
down the aisle I just pushed through the crowd and got partially in his
way. Just enough where he would have to alter his course to avoid bumping
into me. When he looked up, I blurted, "You guys are going to win tomorrow.
Don't doubt it for a second." Troy stopped, smiled and just winked. I was
truly impressed by his calm confidence that became his trademark. The next
day I watched from the north end zone as Troy had one of the best days in
NFC Championship history. I watched the boy become a man and the Cowboys
were back. His MVP performance in the Super Bowl that followed capped the
best postseason in NFL history by a quarterback. But I'll never forget that
whimsical wink. It was like he knew it his time.
- vicdenn
My favorite memory of Troy Aikman came in his first year in a game against
the Arizona (or Phoenix) Cardinals in Arizona. They still ended up losing
that game, but Troy really showed me something in that particular game.
Troy threw the pass up the middle and the receiver ended up scoring on that
play but, Troy never saw the play because he was hit hard as he released
the ball. Back then and now, there was a term "happy feet" that described
quarterbacks who heard the footsteps of defensive linemen and hurriedly
got rid of the ball. That day and throughout his career, Troy was not known
for happy feet. He stood in the pocket, took the hit and still got the play
off. That was the first indication I thought he was going to be something
special. He did not let me down. Although the last few years have not been
good statistically, he still did not let me down. He did not have happy
feet in the end whether it was on the playing field or fielding questions
to reporters after a bad game or season. He stood there and took the hits.
He highlighted the word "professional" in professional football player.
- Charles Tucker, Mesquite, Texas
Troy always managed to rise above all of the turmoil on the Cowboys. His
judgment was always right on about supporting teammates in trouble, yet
making sure that everyone knew he did not support their acts. Troy will
be missed by this lifelong Cowboy fan. Thanks for everything Troy.
- Jeff Brown, Hagerstown, Md.
Without a doubt, Sept. 12, 1999 at FedEx Field. Season opener; first time
seeing the Cowboys live, first NFL game. In the beautiful road blue jerseys
(had mine on, too), against the hated Redskins, no less. The Redskins had
us down, 35-14, as Troy puts up four touchdowns to send the game into overtime.
The shock on the faces of the Redskins fans was priceless as Troy tied the
record by throwing a 76-yard bomb to Rocket Ismail for the game-winning
score, 41-35. Seated right over the Cowboys exit tunnel, I was easy to spot
screaming with joy in the burgundy sea. Several players waved and shouted
back as they left the field, and Troy Aikman was one of them.
- Barry Bembry, Adelphi, Md.
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