It's not every quarterback who admits to being brutally honest after a 1-11 season, but Troy Aikman is one of those quarterbacks "I don't know how those (quarterbacks) make it 10 years," he said to his agent Leigh Steinberg. Leigh fired back "Troy, quarterbacks don't get hit the way you did for 10 years," Steinberg was referring to the physical and emotional toll it was for the 0-11 starting QB back in that year. Indeed, after suffering from a broken finger, concussion, 18 interceptions and a weak offensive line, one would think this is the makeup of a loser. But...

..Not so fast. When Troy was speaking with Joe Buck about their 0-1 season opener he said Jimmy Johnson said to the team "Let me tell you guys something - this losing shit is over, it is over! Tomorrow we're gunna go out there and we're gunna whip their ass!" To which Troy said laughing to Joe "Well, little did he know, that losing shit was far from over!" We, we'd lose 14 more times before that year was over - yeah, that was the year we were 1-15!"

Troy would go on later and say "I know how difficult my rookie year in the NFL was and I know how competitive this sport is" This was the start of Troy learning from his mistakes and making corrections, eventually leading him and his team mates to 3 Super Bowl Wins. "Losing doesn't eat at me the way it used to. I just get ready for the next play, the next game, the next season"

But there were also some 'fumbles' along the way as well. In 2022 on Monday Night Football Troy said "Just make a decision and this is what stops all of these games... this is ridiculous what we're watching right now" - referring to the over sensitivity to "roughing the passer" Then in 2023 he said "My hope is the Competition Committee looks at this in the next set of meetings and, you know, we take the dresses off" - ouch! Not the softest thing to say on MNF, but I don't disagree with him either.

There's the other side of Troy that makes me pause, that of the disciplined, wiser and more purposed man I've always admired. Always the gentleman, inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 some feel he is one of the best Cowboy QBs ever (outside of Roger Staubach, that is, wink) And when asked what other quarterbacks Troy likes he answered right away "Joe Burrow" , aside from admiring Burrow's "old school" approach and a never-giving-up attitude Troy said he (Burrow) was probably even his favorite player. When asked about who he would select for the NFL's MVP award he said "I will just say that no disrespect to anyone and the great years that they've had. If I had a vote, it would go to Joe Burrow. What he has done has been terrific"

When looking ahead and seeing Troy Aikman's involvement and commitment to the sport of the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys team.  It's been said Troy would be the quintessential GM of the Cowboys - wow, if it were only the case. Unfortunately Mr. Jones would never fire himself and just let someone else take over. Yes, Troy fills the shoes of what a disciplined GM would look like and above all, Troy does have an affinity towards the Dallas Cowboys team and Jerry Jones as well. The only reason Aikman could never become the GM is the totality of Jerry and Steven Jones Empire being too possessive for them to ever give up the reins - but Troy would be the perfect man for the job!