With 90 wins in the 1990s, Aikman became the winningest starting quarterback of any decade in NFL history at the time of his retirement. It was a signature moment in NFL history. [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Career - 32,942 What fans saw on Sundays, his teammates saw every day of the week. I told them I'd choose Troy. I certainly would not be here without you. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Career - 4,715 However, Troy Aikman is one of the leading candidates for induction in the NFL's 2006 Hall of Fame class. [2nd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Season - 65.3 (1991) In 1990, Aikman completed 226 of 399 passes for 2,579 yards and 11 touchdowns - the team finished 7-9. [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Game, Rookie Season - 379 (at Phoenix, Nov. 12, 1989) "If we completed that ball on third and four, we would have won the game." That I was able to do so with so many great players and coaches and win three World Championships and wind up here today with all these great men in gold jackets, well, it's almost too much to believe. 8, Troy Aikman. I said, because I want to win. Legal Statement. Uniform Number: 8. Birthplace: West Covina, California. Troy had the ability to make the play when it mattered the most. [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 53 (at Cincinnati, Dec. 14, 1997) There's not a better example of Leigh's support for his clients than the fact that Warren Moon selected him to be his presenter today. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 57 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 26, 1998) It was also while as Oklahoma that I got coached by Mack Brown, current head coach of the defending national champions Texas Longhorns. Id have to say, though, that the Super Bowl was my greatest moment in sports, and it was also my most emotional moment.. My wife, Rhonda, is my best friend. Ernie, I say thank you for everything. I'd also like to thank the many friends, family and fans who have traveled great distances to share this moment with me today. Jimmy Johnson and I arrived in Dallas the same year, 1989, both fresh from college, both eager to prove ourselves. [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Passes Completed - 12 (at Green Bay, Oct. 6, 1991), [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Career - 502 [Tied for 2nd] Most Completions, Game - 33 (at Miami, Oct. 27, 1996) [Tied for 2nd] Most Times Sacked, Game - 11 (vs. Philadelphia, Sept. 15, 1991), [1st] Highest Completion Percentage, Career - 70.0 I'd have to say, though, that the Super Bowl was my greatest moment in sports, and it was also my most emotional moment." Quarterback Troy Aikman finished his collegiate career as the third rated passer in NCAA history. All he wants is for each player to give all he has all the time. Years: 1984-1985, 1987-1988. I'd like to first of all say that I'm very pleased to see all the people who have stuck around here today. My mother, Charlynn sacrificed so much for myself and my two sisters, shuttling us to practices, attending our games, fixing meals, keeping our uniforms clean, and basically always being there for us whenever we needed her, regardless of whatever else might have been occupying her time at the moment. The older I get, the more I understand how much you sacrificed, and your children will forever be indebted to you. I was always proud to have him as well as Jeff Moorehead represent me during contract negotiations. Since I didn't have a brother, they were the ones who satisfied my need to get better by playing catch, running routes, rebounding baskets, and doing pretty much everything else little brother needed. In Dallas, my role as the quarterback was to move our team down the field and score points. Ken Anderson's 2-4 record says as much about his Pro Football Hall of Fame bona fides as all of the black-ink rate stats on his Pro Football Reference page, maybe more. And I thank him for having the biggest single influence on my career. I remember it like it was yesterday, the first time I met Troy Aikman. Your friendship and support means so much to me as it did throughout my career. [3rd] Highest Passing Attempts/Sack Ratio, Season - 26.8 (1996) Thank you very much. When defenses focused on Irvin and/or Smith, Aikman would find tight end Jay Novacek or wide receiver Alvin Harper. There's not a better example of Leigh's support for his clients than the fact that Warren Moon selected him to be his presenter today. During that 10 year era, Troy was the winningest quarterback in the National Football League. On Thursday night, however, the FOX Sports announcer was left lost for words after he found out. Leigh was my agent throughout my career. I look forward to future years when he'll be joined by his great coach Jimmy Johnson, his teammates Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Larry Allen and hopefully others. Coach Donahue, thank you for providing me an opportunity at UCLA and having such a positive influence on my life. He'd say this when times were tough, maybe we'd lost a close game, I'd thrown the deciding interception or the grind and the rigors of the season were beginning to take their toll on me. I know it's hot. Today Troy is being honored as one of the greatest players ever. Aikman was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. [2nd] Most Touchdowns Passing, Career - 23 [2nd] Highest Attempts/Sack Ratio, Season - 31.9 (1995) Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. Troy is one of the most unselfish players to have played. The many friendships in my life are what made me feel every single day like I'm the luckiest guy in the world, and I thank all of you for being here today. John Madden coached the game the same way. And I thank him for having the biggest single influence on my career. [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Season - 1.53 (1993) Michael Irvin, whose work ethic was second to none, was one of the most special teammates I've ever had the opportunity to play with. [2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Attempted, None Intercepted - 184 (1995) There were no "if's." Now it's time to pass on to the other puzzles. She inspires me daily in ways that no one ever has before. Super Bowl XXVII- Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17 Transcript: Read Kurt Warner's Hall of Fame speech The Gazette Aug. 6, 2017 7:00 am Editor's note: Cedar Rapids native Kurt Warner was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Today Troy is being honored as one of the greatest players ever. That season also marked the end of Dallas' odyssey from worst to first. Copyright UCLA Athletics. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Career - 63.75 The interviewer politely asked me why. In Dallas, my role as the quarterback was to move our team down the field and score points. Jimmy always played to win. That's what he was about then, and still is to this day. He knew the things he had to do to give his team the best chance to win. The Colts (4-7-1) travel to Arlington this week for a matchup against the Cowboys (8-3) Sunday night. He knew the things he had to do to give his team the best chance to win. [2nd] Most Pass Completions, Season - 302 (1992) Thank you. A lot of kids want that, but very few actually get the chance. That's what he was about then, and still is to this day. [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 53 (at Cincinnati, Dec. 14, 1997) He still ranks as the fourth highest rated passer in NCAA history. The championships their teams won and the fans they entertained. It makes me proud to be in their company today. [3rd] Most Pass Completions, Game - 28 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 16, 1994) I was also fortunate to have played for a franchise whose owner was as committed to winning as anybody on the field. She inspires me daily in ways that no one ever has before. Charles Haley, no one came more prepared to play or played harder on game day than Charles did. Fox News Flash top sports headlines for November 29. Of all those years, Norv and I were together for only three. The four of you make me so proud and give my life purpose, I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful family. During that time we became great friends and won two Super Bowls. I, too, am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, an amazing player and even better man who left us far too soon. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman presents former NFL head coach Jimmy Johnson during the 2020 HOF enshrinement ceremony. Some guard against overconfidence. Dad, you were right. [3rd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 80.8 (at N.Y. Giants, Sept. 30, 1990) When defenses focused on Irvin and/or Smith, Aikman would find tight end Jay Novacek or wide receiver Alvin Harper. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Dell Hellestrae, not only was he the best long snapper in the league, but he also proved to be a great listener to my many frustrations on a many a Saturday night. He didn't laugh. His impact on me was significant. [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Career - 3,849 Another one of Troy's real strengths was his ability to bring out the best in everyone around him. [1st] Longest Pass Completion - 94 (to Alvin Harper, vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995, TD) A high school coach once told me, In life you have a lot of acquaintances but very few friends. John Madden coached the game the same way. Joe has been a great friend to me and my family for many years. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame All Rights Reserved. He's the big brother I never had. I don't anticipate missing many Hall of Fame weekends. With 90 wins in the 1990s, Aikman became the winningest starting quarterback of any decade in NFL history at the time of his retirement. Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 5, 2006 Presenter: Norv Turner, Former Dallas Cowboys assistant coach and longtime NFL head coach Joe has been a great friend to me and my family for many years. In closing, I'd like to share something that a close friend used to tell me back when I was playing. I told them I'd choose Troy. He became the first Dallas rookie quarterback to start a season opener since Roger Staubach in 1969. For as long as I can remember, all I ever wanted was to play pro sports. If that's true, I'm in great standing today. [1st] Most Pass Completions, Career - 2,898 Over the last three days we've been here, the hospitality that they've shown myself and family has been nothing short of spectacular. Although he showed great promise and threw for a rookie-record 379 yards in a game against the Phoenix Cardinals, the team finished 1-15. He meant that much to my career and to the Dallas Cowboys. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, No Interceptions, Game - 57 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 26, 1998) What struck me most about Jimmy was his fearlessness. I didn't seek it, and yet I'm here. Yet it's our friendship that is most special because it has endured long after he stopped coaching me in Dallas. Quarterback Troy Aikman finished his collegiate career as the third rated passer in NCAA history. I look forward to many return trips to the Canton area in the future years. I'm also honored to have Norv Turner here today as my presenter. I know it's been a long day. Passing Titles: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 19994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 He's the big brother I never had. I remember after the workout calling my good friend and coach Ernie Zampese. As talented as all of these players were, however, they were even better teammates. I really felt was Troy's drive, along with coach Jimmy Johnson's leadership, that had accounted for that worst to first you just saw on the screen. Anyway, Bill Holt in Henrietta taught me about the sacrifices that must be made to excel. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images). Golf game hasn't gotten any better. I'd also like to say that the people in Canton, Ohio, have been absolutely terrific. I owe so much of my success to UCLA and to my head coach there at the time, Terry Donahue. [1st] Most Consecutive Passes Attempted, None Intercepted - 216 (1999) This was a proud day for Cowboys fans as Aikman had been a part of the team that restored glory to the franchise. Click to go to the page with all the answers to 7 little words January 17 2023. We had a good system in Dallas. What struck me most about Jimmy was his fearlessness. Mom, you're an amazing woman. There were so many other special players that I had a chance to play with, guys such as Jay Novacek, the irreplaceable and unsung hero of our franchise, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, the blue collar guy who I'm not ashamed to say was better at his job than any other player on the team was theirs, including myself. mayo 29, 2022 . Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Since that time I've not met a finer, more trustworthy person. He would often tell me and the team, Things are never as good as you think they are or ever as bad as you think they are. Sound advice that I would have to remind myself of often during my early years in Dallas. Aikman made the. The Cowboys hadn't been awful before Aikman was drafted, but they were a decade removed from their last Super Bowl championship. You know, after a game, a lot of times you have those "if's." 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