Troy Aikman

Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966 in West Covina, California) is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, and currently a television sportscaster for the Fox network. Formed Hall Of Fame Racing with Roger Staubach to compete in NASCAR.

Early life and college career

The youngest of three children, Aikman lived in Cerritos, California until age 12, when his family moved to a farm in Henryetta, Oklahoma. In Things Change, an account of his life for kids, Aikman recounted he thought his athletic career was over, but, to his surprise, it was just beginning. He made All-State in both football and baseball, and his high school retired his football jersey.

Related Topics:
Cerritos, California - Henryetta, Oklahoma - Baseball - High school

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Drafted by Major League Baseball's New York Mets, Aikman chose to pursue football and attended the University of Oklahoma. He broke his leg in his debut against the University of Miami, then headed by his future coach, Jimmy Johnson. With Aikman on the sidelines, head coach Barry Switzer went back to the wishbone offense, and the Sooners went on to win the 1985 NCAA title.

Related Topics:
Major League Baseball - New York Mets - University of Oklahoma - University of Miami - Jimmy Johnson - Barry Switzer - Wishbone offense - NCAA

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Having won with the wishbone, and, as Aikman was primarily a passing quarterback, Coach Switzer oversaw Aikman's transfer to UCLA, a program under Terry Donahue more conducive to Aikman's game. He had to redshirt one year due to college transfer rules, but went on to lead the Bruins to a 20-4 record over two seasons, and wins in the 1987 Aloha Bowl and the 1989 Cotton Bowl.

Related Topics:
Wishbone - UCLA - Terry Donahue - Redshirt - Aloha Bowl - Cotton Bowl

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