 Troy Aikman, one of the most
successful quarterbacks in National Football League
history, and many Dallas Cowboy fans would consider him
a football hero. Many children, who have seen how he
cares for them, also think he’s a hero. The quarterback,
who was one of football’s most durable, and who overcame
countless concussions and other injuries, announced his
retirement earlier this year.
After being drafted number one in the
NFL draft by the Cowboys in 1989, Troy Aikman led the
cowboys to Super Bowl championships in Super Bowls
XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX. Troy Aikman led teams played in
four consecutive NFC championships from 1992-1995, won
six NFC east titles, including five consecutive, and he
was the 10th rated lifetime passer going into the 2000
season. His 61.6% lifetime passing percentage going into
the 2000 season was the third highest in NFL history,
and in the 1990’s he became the winningest quarterback
in any decade ever.
He has also been recognized for his
work for and with children. On January 22, 1998, he
received one of professional football’s highest honors
when he was named NFL man of the year. In large part the
honor came because of his Troy Aikman Foundation, which
was founded in 1992 “to provide financial support for
the physical, psychological, social and educational
needs of dependent children whose needs are not being
met, either in whole or part, by any other viable
resource.”
NFL president Neil Austrian said the
award emphasizes the “dual importance” of a player’s
contributions on and off the field. “Troy Aikman
personifies the ideal leadership on the playing field
and in the community,” Austrian said.
Currently his charity is involved in
establishing Aikman’s End Zone playrooms in children’s
hospitals. Money from his fan club and his children’s
book, “Things Change,” benefit the foundation. The book
was the best-selling children’s sport’s book in 1995 and
sold more than 100,000 copies.
The first playroom was established in
1996 at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, with a
grant of $250,000 from the foundation and in-kind
donations of technology and products. The area had an
8-foot replica of his helmet, a theater, with a
seven-foot by five- foot screen and a laser disc screen.
There were also 1200 fiber optic stars on the ceiling,
an interactive computer network and a saltwater aquarium
with exotic fish.
Troy Aikman has had many
accomplishments in his life in football, acting and even
singing. In addition to the pro football
accomplishments, such as championships, Pro Bowls and
passing records, he had many honors in college football.
He was the third highest rated passer in college history
and was a Heisman Trophy finalist . As an actor, Troy Aikman
played himself in the movie, “Jerry Maguire,” and stared
in several television episodes and series including,
“The Simpsons,” in which he played himself, “King of the
Hill,” playing himself,” and “Coach,” playing himself.
He also recorded a song on “NFL Country,” with country
star Toby Keith and made other recordings on various
records.
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