Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players in team history
By Randy Gurzi
. Quarterback. (1989-2000). Troy Aikman. 3. player. 123
Many lists won’t put Troy Aikman ahead of Bob Lilly, but it’s hard not to when you really think about it. Aikman was the steadying force of a 1990s franchise that was full of huge egos, emotional outbursts, and off-field drama. Even with all that chaos going on around them, the quarterback was able to get everyone to focus play after play — and after he got the league figured out, he did nothing but win.
The first overall pick in 1989, Aikman was 0-11 as a rookie on a very bad Dallas team. They slowly began to turn around and, by 1992, they were on the way to becoming a dynasty.
That season, Aikman led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and the first of their three Super Bowl wins — even earning the Super Bowl MVP in that win. Hailed as one of the most accurate passers in the game, Aikman won more titles than any other quarterback in team history.
However, he seems to be a victim of the style of play his team won with. A ground-heavy offense, Aikman never crossed the 4,000-yard plateau through the air. He also had more than 20 touchdowns just once in his career as he often deferred to Emmit Smith in the red zone, knowing it was the best move for the team. Still, it was his leadership, precise passing and calmness in the clutch that made him great.
In all, Aikman was 94-71 as a starter and made six Pro Bowls. He was also 11-4 in the postseason. In 2006, Aikman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor.