[1st] Most Games, 300 or More Passing Yards, Career - 13 He was standing in a meeting room. Since that time I've not met a finer, more trustworthy person. At a time when coaches are guarded about getting too close to their players, Norv proved you could be both a great coach and a great friend. [1st] Most Seasons, 3,000 or More Passing Yards - 5 (1992-93, 1995-97) What fans saw on Sundays, his teammates saw every day of the week. At a time when coaches are guarded about getting too close to their players, Norv proved you could be both a great coach and a great friend. Another one of Troy's real strengths was his ability to bring out the best in everyone around him. I'm also honored to have Norv Turner here today as my presenter. Mario Orasco, Rod Davis, Manny DeSalvo taught me the fundamentals of the game and what it meant to be a good sport. A few weeks later, we had the chance to go out in the field for the first time. In an era of super egos, he never let his get in the way of winning. In the 1994 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers, Aikman completed 23 of 30 passes for 337 yards. [Tied for 1st] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 53 (at San Francisco, Jan. 15, 1995) I, too, am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, an amazing player and even better man who left us far too soon. If that's true, I'm in great standing today. I know a lot of you have come to watch other inductees and have reason to leave, but you stuck it out, and I appreciate that very much. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Some guard against overconfidence. Reggie, Warren, Harry, Rayfield, and John represented the game with class, just as Lesley Visser, the first female recipient of the Pete Rozelle Award, brought respect and professionalism to the field of journalism for her work in print and broadcasting. Ernie, I say thank you for everything. 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. AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy &. My wife, Rhonda, is my best friend. 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. 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. Birthplace: West Covina, California. Market data provided by Factset. [Tied for 1st] Most Times Sacked, Game - 11 (vs. Philadelphia, Sept. 15, 1991) He meant that much to my career and to the Dallas Cowboys. It makes me proud to be in their company today. [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Season - 518 (1997) Norv Turner (presenter): [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 76.67 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995) I'd like to first of all say that I'm very pleased to see all the people who have stuck around here today. 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. There's not a better example of Leigh's support for his clients than the fact that. If that's true, I'm in great standing today. 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. Coach Donahue, thank you for providing me an opportunity at UCLA and having such a positive influence on my life. We had a good system in Dallas. Following high school, I attended Oklahoma University and was coached by one of the winningest coaches in college football history, Barry Switzer. Joe has been a great friend to me and my family for many years. Place of Birth: West Covina, CA. [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 49 (vs. Arizona, Jan. 2, 1999) Following high school, I attended Oklahoma University and was coached by one of the winningest coaches in college football history, Barry Switzer. Over the last three days we've been here, the hospitality that they've shown myself and family has been nothing short of spectacular. If you look at his greatest games, they came against the best teams and they came in the playoffs. Jersey Number: 8. Joe Buck's TV partner Troy. Charles Haley, no one came more prepared to play or played harder on game day than Charles did. Jimmy always played to win. Ernie couldn't be with us today. 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 thank him for his support throughout my career. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Career - 4,715 The championships their teams won and the fans they entertained. I was always proud to have him as well as Jeff Moorehead represent me during contract negotiations. Jimmy Johnson and I arrived in Dallas the same year, 1989, both fresh from college, both eager to prove ourselves. [3rd] Most Passing Attempts, Season - 473 (1992) 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. [3rd] Most Games, Four of More Touchdowns Passes, Career - 3 So it is extremely gratifying that after a career of putting team accomplishments in front of personal achievement, today I am receiving the greatest individual honor a football player could ever receive. Rick Enis, Danny Spurlock, Ken Lackey, Steve Axman, Rick Neuheisel, Jerry Rhome, Hudson Houck, Joe Avazzano. When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to be was a professional athlete. Outstanding quarterback for the Bruins in 1987-88 posting a 20-4 two-year record as a starter including victories in the Aloha and Cotton Bowls. I know a lot of you have come to watch other inductees and have reason to leave, but you stuck it out, and I appreciate that very much. Legal Statement. A few weeks later, we had the chance to go out in the field for the first time. During his NFL career, he has led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl Championships and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, No Interceptions, Game - 57 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 26, 1998) Over the last three days we've been here, the hospitality that they've shown myself and family has been nothing short of spectacular. [1st] Consecutive Passes Completed - 10 (vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 28, 1996) Uniform Number: 8. As talented as all of these players were, however, they were even better teammates. Troy had the ability to make the play when it mattered the most. [Tied for 2nd] Most Completions, Game - 33 (at Miami, Oct. 27, 1996) Dad, you were right. I always took great pride in being a part of the triplets with Michael and Emmitt. Super Bowls were more important than statistics. Id have to say, though, that the Super Bowl was my greatest moment in sports, and it was also my most emotional moment.. The first is Leigh Steinberg. Troy's teammates would tell you he was a leader of those great Dallas teams of the '90s. "Why did they throw the ball in that situation? There were no "if's." He didn't laugh. I was blessed to be coached by some of the game's best, beginning with my earliest years of junior All American football in Cerritos, California, with the Suburban Hornets. When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to be was a professional athlete. There's now a new team of Aikman women in my life. Quarterback Troy Aikman finished his collegiate career as the third rated passer in NCAA history. And we've been told we're given 10 minutes for each inductee. I told him, I've never seen anything like it. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. All rights reserved. [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Career - 2.99 You know what I'm talking about. Mark, thank you for the commitment and support over the last 17 years. Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote Its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere, "I have a real hard time classifying anything as my biggest moment, my favorite color or whatever. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. That's what he was about then, and still is to this day. John Madden coached the game the same way. There were no "if's." You've always given more than you've gotten, yet I don't think you'd have it any other way. I'm also honored to have Norv Turner here today as my presenter. But my greatest blessings in life have been my family and friends. They all made significant contributions to their teams, and that's why they're here. [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Career - 3,849 I owe so much of my success to UCLA and to my head coach there at the time, Terry Donahue. "It's the violence of the sport," Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman observed. It was very difficult coaching against Troy and the Cowboys the next seven years. Sign up and get Insider's information & Special Offers. I must say it's awfully nice, even though if it's just for a weekend, to be around the Cowboy fans and Troy. "Theyve thrown the ball a lot more than I would have anticipated," Aikman mentioned. [3rd] Most Pass Completions, Season - 296 (1996) It was very difficult coaching against Troy and the Cowboys the next seven years. All he wants is for each player to give all he has all the time. 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. [Tied for 1st] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 53 (at San Francisco, Jan. 15, 1995) Over the next three seasons, the Cowboys enjoyed three consecutive 12-4 records and victories in Super Bowls XXVIII and XXX. A lot of kids want that, but very few actually get the chance. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 76.67 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995) I didn't seek it, and yet I'm here. Ernie, I say thank you for everything. I, too, am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, an amazing player and even better man who left us far too soon. I know it's hot. Violence accounts for much of the appeal of the game, then and now, and the history of American football suggests that fans and players are willing to tolerate injuries for the continuation of the game. [2nd] Most Passes Intercepted, Career - 17 I wouldn't be here without you. 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. Troy came to that huddle with those big blue eyes and he looked up and he said, Hey, I'm coming to you no matter what. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In an era of super egos, he never let his get in the way of winning. I remember it like it was yesterday, the first time I met Troy Aikman. [2nd] Most Passing Yards Gained, Game - 337 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995) Leigh was my agent throughout my career. Norv was right. And I thank him for having the biggest single influence on my career. I started playing football at the age of seven and retired when I was 34. 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