Troy Aikman, the legendary quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, will always be remembered for his cool-headedness on the field. He led the team to three Super Bowl victories and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. However, if you ask him where his soul is, he will probably say it’s far from the Texas stadiums and Hall of Fame busts.
Growing up in West Covina, California, Aikman was a city kid who loved riding his bike everywhere. But his life took a drastic turn when he was just 12 years old. His parents divorced and he moved with his mother to Henryetta, a small town in Oklahoma. This move not only changed his surroundings but also his perspective on life.
Aikman went from living in a bustling city to a quiet town where everyone knew each other. He went from playing football on the streets to playing on a dirt field seven miles outside of town. This was a major adjustment for the young boy, but it also taught him valuable lessons that would shape him into the man he is today.
In an interview with Fox Sports, Aikman said, “I think growing up in a small town, it taught me a lot about work ethic and the value of hard work. I think that’s something that’s stayed with me throughout my career and even now in my post-football life.”
Aikman’s hard work and determination paid off when he received a football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma. He then transferred to UCLA, where he led the Bruins to a 20-4 record in two seasons and was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. This caught the attention of the Dallas Cowboys, who selected him as the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft.
Aikman’s career with the Cowboys was nothing short of remarkable. He led the team to three Super Bowl victories in four years and was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. He also set numerous records and was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2005.
But despite all his success in Dallas, Aikman never forgot his roots in Oklahoma. So when tragedy struck the state in May 2013, he was deeply affected. A massive tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, destroying homes and taking the lives of 24 people, including seven children.
Aikman, who now works as a broadcaster for Fox Sports, was in Oklahoma City for a game when the tornado hit. He immediately reached out to his former teammate and friend, Oklahoma City Thunder player Nick Collison, to see how he could help. Together, they came up with a plan to raise money for the victims of the tornado.
Aikman and Collison created a T-shirt with the slogan “OKC Strong” and sold them for $20 each. All the proceeds went to the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s disaster relief fund. The response was overwhelming, and they raised over $100,000 in just a few days.
But Aikman didn’t stop there. He also donated $10,000 of his own money to the cause and made a personal visit to the affected areas to meet with the victims and offer his support.
In an interview with ESPN, Aikman said, “I just felt like I needed to do something. I’ve always been proud to be from Oklahoma, and I wanted to do my part to help the people who were affected by this tragedy.”
Aikman’s noble gesture did not go unnoticed. He was praised by the media and fans for his generosity and compassion towards his home state. But for Aikman, it was just another way to give back to the community that shaped him into the man he is today.
Even though Aikman will always be remembered as a Dallas Cowboys legend, his heart will always be in Oklahoma. He may have left the small town of Henryetta, but it never left him. His humble beginnings and the values he learned there have stayed with him throughout his life and have made him the person he is today.
As Aikman continues to make a positive impact on and off the field, he remains a role model for many. His actions during the Oklahoma City tragedy show that he is not just a great athlete, but also a compassionate and selfless human being. And that is something to be truly admired.
