Troy Aikman, a retired professional football player turned sports broadcaster, is a former NFL quarterback and one of the most successful in the leagues of history. He is still remembered as one of the unforgettable Cowboys today. Once a football player, Aikman has surpassed this legacy, transitioning into a successful NBC sports broadcaster and businessman. This article discusses his family, career, personal life, and net worth.
Early Life and Family
Troy Kenneth Aikman was born November 21, 1966, in West Covina, California. When he was 12, his parents, Kenneth and Charlyn Aikman, moved to Henryetta, Oklahoma, where he played football and baseball at Henryetta High School and received All-State honors. Aikman also won the Oklahoma high school state championship in typing in 1983.
Education and College Football Career
Aikman played college football at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 1984, he was the first freshman to start at quarterback for Oklahoma since World War II. 1985, his first full season as a collegiate starter under head coach Barry Switzer. Jerome Brown of the Miami Hurricanes penetrated the offensive line, sacking Aikman at the Sooners’ 29-yard line and breaking his ankle. Aikman decided to transfer to UCLA after Jamelle Holieway was established as OU’s starting quarterback.
Barry Switzer had arranged for Aikman to transfer to UCLA, where he would be coached by Terry Donahue, who was more suited to a passing quarterback. He had to sit out a year due to college transfer rules but helped lead the Bruins to a record of 20–4 over two seasons.
Aikman was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year as a junior after throwing for 2,525 yards, 17 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He guided the Bruins to a 10–2 mark and the 1987 Aloha Bowl with a 20–16 victory over the Florida Gators. He ended this phase of his football career as the nation’s third most successful collegiate passer.
NFL Career with the Dallas Cowboys
In the 1989 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys chose Troy Aikman as the first overall pick. His first NFL preseason game was on August 26, 1989, against the Denver Broncos. His NFL debut was a 28–0 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. Aikman led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships in the 1990s, establishing his legacy as one of the NFL’s greatest players.
Aikman was known for his precision and leadership style. He was a phenomenal decision-maker, and his arm strength enabled him to make tough throws. During his 12 seasons with the Cowboys, Aikman made six Pro Bowl appearances and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Personal Life and Relationship
Texas Monthly once named Aikman the most eligible bachelor in Dallas and previously linked him to country singer Lorrie Morgan. He has been married twice. He was previously married to Rhonda Worthey, a former Cowboys publicist. The couple married on April 8, 2000, in Plano, Texas, and had two daughters, Jordan Ashley Aikman and Alexa Marie Aikman. However, they divorced on April 12, 2011, after 11 years of marriage.
Aikman married Catherine “Capa” Mooty, a businesswoman, on September 1, 2017. However, as of July 2023, Aikman and Mooty were officially divorced. Aikman resides in Dallas. His daughters are still a priority for him, and he frequently posts pictures with them on social media.
Post-Football Career and Broadcasting
Troy Aikman retired from football in 2000 and pursued a broadcasting career. He signed on with Fox Sports as a color commentator and quickly rose to become one of the sport’s most respected voices. Aikman’s understanding of the game, combined with his ability to offer astute television commentary, endeared him to sports media.
Aikman also hosts a weekly sports radio show on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. ET on Sporting News Radio and appears weekly during the football season on the Dallas sports talk radio station 1310 The Ticket on the Dunham & Miller morning program.
Aikman has also started a myriad of business ventures in addition to his broadcast career. He is also a co-owner of the Dallas-based restaurant Troy’s and the chairman of the Troy Aikman Foundation, which he merged with the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas and donated $1 million to United Way.
Net Worth and Legacy
Troy Aikman’s net worth is approximately $65 million, most of which comes from his prosperous football career and broadcasting contracts. He earned a significant salary as a player in the NFL, and his contracts and endorsements piled up. After retiring, Aikman’s ventures outside the NFL have also helped propel his net worth.
Aikman’s legacy extends beyond his three Super Bowl championships and enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is also memorialized for his leadership both on and off the field. Aikman transitioned seamlessly from football to media, business, and philanthropy, becoming one of the world’s most admired figures.
