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Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Troy Aikman is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Early life and college career

Aikman was born in West Covina, California, and played college football at Oklahoma before transferring to UCLA. At UCLA, he became an All-America quarterback and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys chose Aikman with the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He spent his entire NFL career with Dallas, leading the team to three Super Bowl titles and earning six Pro Bowl selections.

Awards and honours

Aikman was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. His career statistics include 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdown passes.

Broadcasting career

After retiring from professional football in 2000, Aikman moved into broadcasting and became a football analyst. He has worked as a lead NFL game analyst for Fox.

Personal life and philanthropy

Public biographies identify Aikman as a resident of Dallas and note that he has three daughters. He has also been associated with charitable work through the Troy Aikman Foundation.

Key facts

  • Aikman was selected first overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1989 NFL Draft.
  • He won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys and was named Super Bowl XXVII MVP.
  • He was selected to six Pro Bowls during his NFL career.
  • He finished his career with 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdown passes.
  • After retiring, he became a television sports broadcaster.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Troy Aikman?
Troy Aikman is a former American football quarterback best known for leading the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships.
What team did Troy Aikman play for?
He played his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.
What college did Troy Aikman attend?
He attended the University of Oklahoma and UCLA, and became most prominent as a UCLA quarterback.
How many Super Bowls did Troy Aikman win?
He won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys.
When was Troy Aikman inducted into the Hall of Fame?
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
What did Troy Aikman do after retiring from football?
He became a sports broadcaster and football analyst.

References

  1. Pro Football Hall of Fame — https://www.profootballhof.com/players/troy-aikman
    Supports: Draft position, career achievements, career statistics, retirement, and Hall of Fame induction
  2. College Football Hall of Fame / National Football Foundation — https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2222
    Supports: College career at UCLA, college honors, and induction into the College Football Hall of Fame
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Troy-Aikman
    Supports: Birth date and place, Dallas Cowboys career, and three Super Bowl victories
  4. Fox Sports — https://www.foxsports.com/personalities/troy-aikman/bio
    Supports: Broadcasting career and residence in Dallas