History of Troy Aikman in Timeline

Troy Aikman is a Hall of Fame former NFL quarterback, primarily known for his 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. After a college career at UCLA where he won the Davey O'Brien Award, he was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft. Aikman led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories, earning MVP honors in Super Bowl XXVII. A six-time Pro Bowler, his career is defined by his leadership and success in restoring the Cowboys to prominence. He was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

November 21, 1966: Troy Aikman Born

On November 21, 1966, Troy Kenneth Aikman was born. He would later become a successful NFL quarterback.

1978: Cowboys' First Super Bowl Appearance Since 1978

In 1992, the Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers to get to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1978.

1983: Won Typing Championship

In 1983, Troy Aikman won the Oklahoma high school state championship in typing, showcasing his diverse talents.

1984: First Freshman Quarterback Starter

In 1984, Troy Aikman became the first freshman to start at quarterback for Oklahoma since World War II, marking a significant milestone in his college career.

1985: Led Sooners to Victories

In 1985, Troy Aikman led the Oklahoma Sooners to victories over Minnesota, Kansas State, and No. 17 Texas before his season was cut short due to injury.

1985: Ankle Injury and National Championship

In 1985, Troy Aikman suffered a broken ankle, which led to him being out for the season. Subsequently, the team switched back to the wishbone offense and went on to win the National Championship.

1987: Named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year

In 1987, as a junior, Troy Aikman was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 2,525 yards and 17 touchdowns and leading the Bruins to a 10-2 record.

1988: Davey O'Brien Award

In 1988, Troy Aikman won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback, a first for UCLA. He also threw for 2,771 yards and 24 touchdowns during his senior year.

February 25, 1989: Jerry Jones Fires Tom Landry

On February 25, 1989, new Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fired head coach Tom Landry and replaced him with Jimmy Johnson, marking a significant change for the team and Aikman's early career.

August 26, 1989: First NFL Preseason Game

On August 26, 1989, Troy Aikman played his first NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos, marking his first appearance in the league.

1989: Cotton Bowl Classic Victory

In 1989, Troy Aikman led UCLA to a 17-3 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Cotton Bowl Classic, played in Dallas.

1989: Drafted #1 Overall

In 1989, Troy Aikman was selected first overall in the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, marking the beginning of his professional career.

1990: Injured in 15th game

In 1990, Troy Aikman led the Cowboys to a 7-7 record but was injured in the 15th game against the Philadelphia Eagles, which impacted the team's playoff chances.

1990: Steve Walsh Traded

In 1990, after Aikman won the starting quarterback job, Steve Walsh, who was drafted in the NFL's supplemental draft, was traded early in the season.

1990: Missed Playoffs First Time Since 1990

In 1997, the Cowboys missed the playoffs for the first time since 1990, and Switzer suffered the first losing season of his career.

1991: First Pro Bowl Selection

In 1991, Troy Aikman was selected to the first of six consecutive Pro Bowls, marking a significant achievement in his NFL career.

1992: Super Bowl XXVII MVP

In 1992, Troy Aikman led the Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills and was named Super Bowl MVP.

1993: Super Bowl XXVIII Victory

In 1993, Troy Aikman led the Dallas Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl XXVIII, defeating the Buffalo Bills 30-13.

March 29, 1994: Jimmy Johnson Leaves the Team

On March 29, 1994, Jimmy Johnson left the Dallas Cowboys, and Jerry Jones hired Barry Switzer, Troy Aikman's former college coach, as the new head coach.

1995: Super Bowl XXX Victory

In 1995, Troy Aikman led the Dallas Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers, securing their third Super Bowl win in four years.

1996: NFC East Division Title

In 1996, Troy Aikman helped lead the Cowboys to another NFC East Division title and a home game in the wild card round.

1997: First Quarterback in Cowboys History

In 1997, Troy Aikman became the first quarterback in Cowboys history to have three straight 3,000-yard seasons.

1998: Rebound Year for Aikman and Cowboys

In 1998, despite missing five games, Troy Aikman helped lead the Cowboys back to the NFC East title and the playoffs.

1999: Ranked No. 95 on The Sporting News' list

In 1999, Aikman was ranked No. 95 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

1999: Career-High Five Touchdown Passes

In 1999, Troy Aikman threw a career-high five touchdown passes, including the game-winner in overtime, against the Washington Redskins.

April 8, 2000: Married Rhonda Worthey

On April 8, 2000, Aikman married Rhonda Worthey in Plano, Texas.

2000: Retirement from NFL

In 2000, Troy Aikman retired from professional football, concluding his 12-season career with the Dallas Cowboys.

2000: Back pain treatment during the 2000 season

In 2000, Troy Aikman was constantly getting treatment for back pain.

2000: Final Season and Concussion

In 2000, Troy Aikman's final season as a professional football player, he suffered multiple concussions, with his last game ending due to a hit by LaVar Arrington that resulted in his tenth career concussion.

2001: Waived by Cowboys and Retirement Announcement

During the 2001 offseason, Troy Aikman was waived by the Cowboys and announced his retirement on April 9, ending his career as the Cowboys' all-time leading passer.

2001: Appeared in Billy Graham tribute video

In 2001, Aikman participated in a video honoring Billy Graham's 83rd birthday.

2001: Joins Fox's NFC telecasts

In 2001, Troy Aikman joined Fox's NFC telecasts as a color commentator after retiring from professional football.

2001: Release from Cowboys

In 2001, Troy Aikman was released by the Cowboys.

2001: Joins NFL on Fox as Color Commentator

In 2001, after retiring from the NFL, Troy Aikman began his broadcasting career as a color commentator for NFL on Fox.

2002: Declined offer to start for Eagles

In 2002, Andy Reid called Troy Aikman to offer him the starting position for the Eagles after Donovan McNabb suffered a broken ankle, but Aikman declined.

2002: Named to Fox's lead announcing crew

In 2002, Troy Aikman was named to Fox's lead announcing crew, teaming up with Joe Buck and Cris Collinsworth.

2003: Agreed to play for the Miami Dolphins

In 2003, Troy Aikman agreed to play for the Miami Dolphins with Turner as their offensive coordinator and began training again, but the team decided not to sign a contract with him.

2004: Emmy Award nomination and near comeback with Miami Dolphins

In 2004, Aikman received an Emmy Award nomination for his television work. Also in 2004, he nearly came out of retirement to sign a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, but the Dolphins ended up not signing him.

September 19, 2005: Inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

On September 19, 2005, Aikman was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor with Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith.

2005: Co-ownership of Hall of Fame Racing

In 2005, Troy Aikman became a co-owner of Hall of Fame Racing, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.

2005: Established Hall of Fame Racing

In late 2005, Aikman, together with Roger Staubach, established a NASCAR team known as Hall of Fame Racing.

August 5, 2006: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

On August 5, 2006, Aikman was one of six players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2006: Hall of Fame Racing in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series

In 2006, Hall of Fame Racing participated in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series with drivers Terry Labonte and Tony Raines.

2006: Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2006, Troy Aikman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding achievements in the NFL.

2007: Raines drove for Hall of Fame Racing full-time

In 2007, Tony Raines drove for Hall of Fame Racing full-time.

2008: Hall of Fame Racing drivers Yeley and Coleman

In 2008, J.J. Yeley and Brad Coleman drove for Hall of Fame Racing.

2008: Election to College Football Hall of Fame

In 2008, Troy Aikman was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements in college football.

2008: Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

In 2008, Troy Aikman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, honoring his successful college football career.

February 7, 2009: Honored for induction into the College Hall of Fame

On February 7, 2009, Aikman's induction into the College Hall of Fame was honored at a halftime ceremony during a UCLA-Notre Dame basketball game.

2009: End of Hall of Fame Racing Co-ownership

In 2009, Troy Aikman ended his co-ownership of Hall of Fame Racing.

2009: Hall of Fame Racing team closed

The Hall of Fame Racing team, co-owned by Aikman, closed after the 2009 season.

February 9, 2010: Joined the National Football Foundation Board of Directors

On February 9, 2010, Aikman became a member of the National Football Foundation Board of Directors.

2010: Co-spokesman for Rent-a-Center

In 2010, Aikman became a co-spokesman for Rent-a-Center, along with Hulk Hogan.

January 24, 2011: Announced separation from Rhonda Worthey

On January 24, 2011, Aikman and Rhonda Worthey announced their separation.

April 12, 2011: Divorce from Rhonda Worthey finalized

On April 12, 2011, Aikman's divorce from Rhonda Worthey was finalized.

2011: Joined Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter School Advisory Board

In 2011, Aikman joined the Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter School Advisory Board in Southern California.

2011: Participated in another Billy Graham tribute video

In 2011, Aikman participated in another video honoring Billy Graham's 93rd birthday.

November 2013: Named a 2014 recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award

In November 2013, Aikman was named a 2014 recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award.

December 2013: Discussed Retirement Reason

In December 2013, Troy Aikman stated that persistent back issues were the primary reason for his retirement.

March 2014: Partner and spokesman for IDLife

In March 2014, Aikman was announced as a partner and spokesman for IDLife.

November 28, 2014: UCLA Retired his #8 Jersey

On November 28, 2014, UCLA retired Troy Aikman's #8 jersey at halftime against Stanford, an honor recognizing his contributions to the university's football program.

2014: Recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award

In 2014, Aikman was a recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which had been announced in November 2013.

2016: Merges foundation with United Way

In 2016, Aikman merged his foundation with the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas and donated $1 million to United Way.

2016: Near comeback revealed

In 2016, it was revealed that in 2004 Aikman nearly came out of retirement to sign a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, but the Dolphins ended up not signing him.

June 2, 2017: Announced engagement to Catherine "Capa" Mooty

On June 2, 2017, Aikman announced his engagement to Catherine "Capa" Mooty on Instagram.

September 1, 2017: Married Catherine "Capa" Mooty

On September 1, 2017, Aikman and Catherine Mooty married at the Biltmore Four Seasons in Montecito, California.

January 2020: Desire to Sign with Chargers

In January 2020, Troy Aikman said he wanted to sign with the San Diego Chargers to play for Norv Turner after being released by the Cowboys in the 2001 offseason.

2020: Hot mic incident

In 2020, before an NFL broadcast, Aikman and Joe Buck were caught on a hot mic questioning the necessity of a military flyover, leading to accusations of being unpatriotic.

2021: Leaves NFL on Fox

In 2021, Troy Aikman concluded his tenure as a color commentator for NFL on Fox.

March 16, 2022: Joins ESPN as commentator for Monday Night Football

On March 16, 2022, ESPN announced that Aikman and Joe Buck would join ESPN as the new lead commentators of Monday Night Football.

2022: Launched light beer brand Eight

In 2022, Aikman launched a light beer brand called Eight.

2022: Joins Monday Night Football

In 2022, Troy Aikman became the color commentator for Monday Night Football, continuing his broadcasting career.

July 2023: Divorced Catherine "Capa" Mooty

In July 2023, it was revealed that Aikman and Catherine Mooty were officially divorced.