A couple years ago during an interview, I was asked, if I got to coach one game, who would I choose as my starting quarterback. Passing Touchdown Leader: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 1997 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year 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. I've known Mark since I was 22 years old. Other Members of Class of 2006: Harry Carson, John Madden, Warren Moon, Reggie White, Rayfield Wright, Drafted: 1st round (1st player overall) in 1989 by Dallas Cowboys That season also marked the end of Dallas' odyssey from worst to first. I certainly would not be here without you. Place of Birth: West Covina, CA. When defenses focused on Irvin and/or Smith, Aikman would find tight end Jay Novacek or wide receiver Alvin Harper. Warren Moon, Reggie White, Harry Carson and Rayfield Wright played the game the way it should be played. They all made significant contributions to their teams, and that's why they're here. It's fitting that he's the first of that group to enter the Hall of Fame. [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Career - 2.99 I enjoyed the best seat in the house as I watched Emmitt Smith run his way to the NFL's all time rushing record. I know it's hot. My father, Ken, taught me early on that through hard work I could achieve anything I wanted in life. We went to the playoffs that season, and over the next two years won back to back Super Bowls. Watching Norv Turner present him, and Troy Aikman deliver his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech, was dream-like for a guy who wrote 8 billion words about No. [1st] Longest Pass Completion - 94 (to Alvin Harper, vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995, TD) Ernie, I say thank you for everything. He didn't laugh. A few weeks later, we had the chance to go out in the field for the first time. I've known Mark since I was 22 years old. 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame All Rights Reserved. Thank you very much. I was able to live a dream. Id have to say, though, that the Super Bowl was my greatest moment in sports, and it was also my most emotional moment.. [2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Completed - 13 (at Atlanta, Dec. 21, 1992; at Oakland, Nov. 19, 1995; at Arizona, Nov. 15, 1998) [1st] Highest Passer Rating, Rookie Season - 55.7 (1989) Fox News U.S. . The best example to me was in the '92 championship game, with four minutes left in the game. A high school coach once told me, In life you have a lot of acquaintances but very few friends. [2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Attempted, None Intercepted - 184 (1995) [1st] Most Pass Completions, Rookie Season - 155 (1989) Aikman's 94-yard touchdown pass to Harper was the longest play from scrimmage in NFL post-season history at the time. If you look at his greatest games, they came against the best teams and they came in the playoffs. Alvin ran down the field inside the ten, and took Troy, himself, and the rest of the Cowboys right to the Super Bowl. We could have given it to Emmitt?". But my greatest blessings in life have been my family and friends. If you look at Troy's greatest plays, they came in the most critical situations. It's said you're judged by the company you keep. He was standing in a meeting room. Norv was my coach for three years. I was able to live a dream. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Career - 61.5 Fox Sports analyst Troy Aikman shares his reaction to his former coach Jimmy Johnson's announcement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the Divisional Round. Few have had the great release, the unbelievable arm strength, and incredible accuracy of Troy Aikman. The best example to me was in the '92 championship game, with four minutes left in the game. There's not a better example of Leigh's support for his clients than the fact that. Today Troy is being honored as one of the greatest players ever. I, too, am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, an amazing player and even better man who left us far too soon. 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. Rick Enis, Danny Spurlock, Ken Lackey, Steve Axman, Rick Neuheisel, Jerry Rhome, Hudson Houck, Joe Avazzano. I'd like to first of all say that I'm very pleased to see all the people who have stuck around here today. [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 4 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo), [2nd] Longest Pass Completion - 94 (to Alvin Harper, vs. Green Bay, 1994) The Indianapolis Colts struggled mightily on offense in a Monday night loss, and broadcaster Troy Aikman was not shy about sharing his opinion on the matter. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Rookie Season - 52.9 (1989) The championships their teams won and the fans they entertained. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 76.67 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995) [3rd] Most Games, Four of More Touchdowns Passes, Career - 3 Charles Haley, no one came more prepared to play or played harder on game day than Charles did. Finally, after the 2000 season, the Cowboys' six-time Pro Bowl selection announced his retirement from football. [1st] Most Touchdowns Passing, Game, Rookie - 4 (vs. L.A. Rams, Dec. 3, 1989) As talented as all of these players were, however, they were even better teammates. Jimmy's boldness set the tone for a young group of players who didn't know much about winning but were eager to learn. [1st] Most Consecutive Games, Touchdown Pass - 16 (1993-1994) Rhonda, you're a wonderful mother, an example to our three daughters, Rachel, Jordan, and Alex. Charles Haley, no one came more prepared to play or played harder on game day than Charles did. Jimmy was the right coach at the right time for the Dallas Cowboys, and I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to play for him. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman before a game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium Oct 21, 2021, in Cleveland. All-NFC Second Team: 1994 (UPI) 1995 (UPI), (6) - 1992, 1993, 1994*, 1995, 1996*, 1997*, At time of his retirement following 2000 season [2nd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 85.7 (at Atlanta, Dec. 21, 1992) What fans saw on Sundays, his teammates saw every day of the week. Led team to three Super Bowl winsWinningest starting quarterback of the 1990s with 90 of 94 career wins occurring in the decadeHeld or tied 47 Dallas passing records Posted 13 regular season and four playoff 300-yard passing gamesNamed to six Pro Bowls, All-Pro 1993, All-NFC Second Team 1994, 1995 Born November 21, 1966, in West Covina, California. "Why did they throw the ball in that situation? That decision would turn around my career. Super Bowl XXVII- Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17 Super Bowl XXVII MVP, Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: February 4, 2006, Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 5,2006 [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Game - 380 (at San Francisco, Jan. 15, 1995) I'd also like to thank the many friends, family and fans who have traveled great distances to share this moment with me today. 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. Irvin, Novacek, and Harper, each had more than 100 yards receiving. [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Season - 1.53 (1993) The following year he completed an NFC-best 65.3 percent of his passes, and the Cowboys improved to 11-5 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman said Wednesday "it doesn't make sense" to compare Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes to him because of the different eras. Norv Turner (presenter): Then of course there was Jimmy. Since that time I've not met a finer, more trustworthy person. I was always proud to have him as well as Jeff Moorehead represent me during contract negotiations. You taught me about discipline, toughness, and life's most important lesson: To never quit. That's it. In an era of super egos, he never let his get in the way of winning. We went to the playoffs that season, and over the next two years won back to back Super Bowls. [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Game - 380 (at San Francisco, Jan. 15, 1995) Sign up and get Insider's information & Special Offers. Following high school, I attended Oklahoma University and was coached by one of the winningest coaches in college football history, Barry Switzer. I told them I'd choose Troy. 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. It's an honor to be a member of a Hall of Fame induction class that includes five men for whom I have such admiration and respect. The past eight years have been without question the best years of my life. He had been slammed to the turf at the Vet by Clyde Simmons. Passing Titles: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 19994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 You know what I'm talking about. If you look at his greatest games, they came against the best teams and they came in the playoffs. I certainly would not be here without you. [1st] Highest Passing Attempts/Sack Ratio, Season - 36.0 (1998) [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Rookie Season - 1,749 (1989) I would have loved to have had any one of them on my team. When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to be was a professional athlete. [2nd] Most Passing Attempts, No Interceptions, Game - 33 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 14, 1996) During that time we became great friends and won two Super Bowls. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. I think Reggie got in on that one also. You also have those "why's." [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 4 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo), [2nd] Longest Pass Completion - 94 (to Alvin Harper, vs. Green Bay, 1994) 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. Was one of the best offensive minds and greatest people that this game has ever known. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Some coaches play not to lose. In 2006, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Troy Aikman Dallas Cowboys "I have a real hard time classifying anything as my biggest moment, my favorite color or whatever. Click to go to the page with all the answers to 7 little words January 17 2023. That season also marked the end of Dallas' odyssey from worst to first. Troy Aikman: [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Rookie Season - 6.14 (1989) [2nd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 75.68 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 16, 1994) [2nd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 75.68 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 16, 1994) Thank you very much. I don't anticipate missing many Hall of Fame weekends. It's an honor to be a member of a Hall of Fame induction class that includes five men for whom I have such admiration and respect. I thank him for his support throughout my career. 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. It wouldn't have happened without the help of a lot of great coaches. It's no wonder we enjoyed so much success in the '90s considering all the talent we had. [1st] Most Consecutive Seasons Leading Team, Passing - 12 (1989-00) In Dallas, my role as the quarterback was to move our team down the field and score points. In 1996, he broke Cowboy team records for career pass completions, attempts and passing yards. A lot of kids want that, but very few actually get the chance. Troy Aikman: 11-4; Danny White: 5-5; Craig Morton: 3-2; Tony Romo: 2-4; Dak Prescott: 2-3; . Thank you very much. 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. Troy had the ability to make the play when it mattered the most. 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. A high school coach once told me, In life you have a lot of acquaintances but very few friends. The interviewer politely asked me why. [3rd] Most Pass Completions, Game - 28 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 16, 1994) I'd also like to say that the people in Canton, Ohio, have been absolutely terrific. In fact, he gave me that look he can give you that says, hey, let's get to work. [3rd] Most Passing Attempts, Season - 473 (1992) Mario Orasco, Rod Davis, Manny DeSalvo taught me the fundamentals of the game and what it meant to be a good sport. 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. Uniform Number: 8. 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. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Game - 57 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 26, 1998) Ryan and the Colts were able to get on track in the second half, scoring 14 points in the third quarter alone. [1st] Most Touchdowns Passing, Game, Rookie - 4 (vs. L.A. Rams, Dec. 3, 1989) [2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Completed - 13 (at Atlanta, Dec. 21, 1992; at Oakland, Nov. 19, 1995; at Arizona, Nov. 15, 1998) [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Games, Four or More Touchdowns Passes - 1 (at Washington, Sept. 12, 1999) I was also lucky to grow up with two terrific sisters, at least most of the time (smiling). Alvin ran down the field inside the ten, and took Troy, himself, and the rest of the Cowboys right to the Super Bowl. Jason Garrett, my confidant and greatest ally on the field and quarterback meetings for the majority of my career. There were no "if's." Mario Orasco, Rod Davis, Manny DeSalvo taught me the fundamentals of the game and what it meant to be a good sport. Finally, after the 2000 season, the Cowboys' six-time Pro Bowl selection announced his retirement from football. And I thank him for having the biggest single influence on my career. 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