Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football: Troy Aikman joins WFAA

DALLAS — One of probably the most recognizable figures in North Texas joined WFAA to speak concerning the state of the Cowboys, household life and his new gig at Monday Night Football.

Cowboys legend Troy Aikman sat down with WFAA sports activities anchor Joe Trahan for an unique interview, they usually mentioned every little thing underneath the solar.

Of course, we needed to ask about Aikman’s take on the Cowboys so far and the way he is feeling in his new function with Monday Night Football after spending 20 years calling video games on FOX.

But that is not all. We all have seen “Aikman the football player” and “Aikman the TV announcer.” We wished to provide everybody a glimpse at “Aikman the father” and “Aikman the entrepreneur.”

Here’s the complete dialog between Joe and Troy:

Trahan: So, Monday Night Football. When I give it some thought for me, all of it begins with the theme. Dun dun dun dun! All these nice reminiscences from after I was like 5 and 6, seven. Is it the identical for you?

Aikman: Absolutely. Our first sport two weeks in the past, three weeks in the past now … after we got here on the air, the theme music began and the hair on my neck stood up. You know, and it is iconic. It takes you again. It took me again and it does it each time I’ve heard it to again to my childhood after I was younger with Don Meredith and Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. It’s an iconic property and to be a part of that legacy means quite a bit and that the music is an enormous a part of that.

Trahan: You know, in school, you ended up transferring from OU to UCLA. Barry Switzer switched to the wishbone after you bought damage and every little thing. So you went from this nice program to a different one. Here professionally, you go from an excellent NFL product to a different one. I do know there aren’t a complete lot of variations, however are there any, within the transition?

Aikman: Yeah, it has been totally different. People in all probability do not fairly perceive that as a result of on the finish of the day, you are doing the identical job. And for me, luckily, I’m doing it with the identical accomplice in Joe Buck, which is what we each actually wished. And so our sales space could be very, very related as a result of he has a spotter and he has a statistician. Then I’ve received a man who travels with me. So our sales space resembles what we have had for a lot of years. But ESPN is about 5 instances the dimensions of Fox. There’s plenty of layers to it. It’s rather more company, like in Fox to extra of a mother and pop sort operation. So that is been a bit of little bit of an adjustment for us in a really optimistic means. They’ve been implausible to us. But for probably the most half, as soon as they kick off and we begin doing our job, it feels prefer it’s at all times felt. And I’ve actually loved it.

Trahan: You talked about Joe … I had the pleasure of being round each of you guys. It was “Good Morning America” barbecue tasting. I might inform instantly that you simply guys are tight. What makes that relationship work each on air and off?

Aikman: Well, it is uncommon, primary, to have broadcast companions to get alongside in addition to we do. Not that others do not get alongside. They’re simply not often as shut in age. They do not spend as a lot time away from the sales space. Joe and I are roughly the identical age. We’ve gone via plenty of life experiences on the similar time. He has two older daughters. I’ve two older daughters. He now has two 5-year-old boy twins. I do not envy that in any respect. And I used to golf, so we would go on {golfing} journeys within the offseason, and do quite a bit collectively. And I believe, you recognize, we there’s clearly plenty of respect for each other, however we actually get pleasure from our time collectively. And I believe that is had as a lot to do with our success as something as a result of I do really feel that the viewers can sense that once they’re watching our video games that we’re shut mates.

Trahan: Yeah, I believe that actually comes throughout the way in which you guys feed off one another and the way in which the product comes out. I imply, it is so effectively carried out. And I believe a part of it’s the chemistry. It seems like that locker room chemistry that you want to have an excellent workforce. On the entire, what does being in that Monday evening sales space imply to you and your work?

Aikman: It’s the one broadcast sales space, I assume you may say, that has this historic content material to it. You know, it goes again to, like I mentioned, again to 1970, I assume with Don Meredith, Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. And, you recognize, I assume when it initially started, Keith Jackson … I’ve learn up on it, however all these of us which can be which can be our age, you recognize, we grew up with it. And I assume all children since then and all generations since then have. It’s modified through the years after I was enjoying, in fact, and it was Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford and, you recognize, then others have occupied the sales space, however for me and Joe to now be in that sales space, and when it is all mentioned and carried out, it’s going to be talked about. I imply, no matter our time is, in Monday evening can be part of the legacy of the printed workforce. That means quite a bit to me.

Trahan: When you are making ready for video games … whenever you’re ensuring you could be at your finest. What drives you loopy?

Aikman: Well, I do know what my preparation is, I assume, you recognize, my frustration in life is anybody who would not take their job severely, or I assume, “seriously” possibly is not the proper means of claiming it, however once they do not take satisfaction of their job. And so I do imagine that you simply put within the work and also you get what you place into one thing. And it is what I’ve tried to show my women. And so on the degree that we do it, and on the degree that we’re anticipated to do it, if there’s others which can be part of our workforce … and I felt this manner as a participant for the Cowboys, if there are those that aren’t placing within the time required as a way to give themselves and our workforce one of the best alternative to have success, then I usually have an actual powerful time for that. So that is in all probability my my greatest frustration. But I do not typically expertise that. I’ll inform you, my years at Fox and my time, my brief time at ESPN, we had been on the No. 1 crew. There’s a motive for that. People have taken plenty of satisfaction within the work that they do. And that is why I’ve loved the job I’ve had.

Trahan: Let’s speak Cowboys now. And I wish to begin with Cooper Rush. I imply, you greater than anybody, know simply how intricate and the way tough it’s to organize for an NFL sport as a quarterback. Why do you suppose Cooper Rush was so profitable?

Aikman: I do not know Cooper, however simply watching him, it seems to be like he is received an actual confidence in himself, which is actually vital. And I believe that due to the success that he had final yr, which is vital. 

Being a backup quarterback within the NFL is a very nice job. I imply, it is a implausible job till it’s important to play. Everybody thinks they wish to play, and I do know they do, however then you definitely received to play effectively, as a result of you aren’t getting many alternatives to then step in because the backup and get your shot. Some get a chance, they take advantage of it they usually proceed to go on and do nice issues. Tom Brady’s an excellent instance of that. 

But then there’s others. And we will actually identify them, who are available for every week or two, after which they’re again on the bench. And in case you do not play effectively in these video games the place you get your shot, then they can not rely on you they usually’re on the lookout for one other backup. So there’s plenty of stress on these guys to come back out and play effectively proper from the beginning. And for him to exit and do what he did final yr towards Minnesota gave him confidence. And I’m certain it gave plenty of confidence to the group and to the gamers round him. 

I felt that you may see that within the sport final week. And I used to be pleased for him. I actually do pull for all quarterbacks to have success as a result of it is a depressing job and it is not enjoyable if you have not performed effectively, going dwelling and coping with that week and all that comes with that. So I used to be pleased to see him do what he was capable of do and hung in there and took some hits and delivered some good throws. And in fact, the protection was an enormous a part of that as effectively. But I’m actually pleased for him.

Trahan: Yeah that Cowboys offensive line was downright scary and I don’t imply scary good. Whenever Dak Prescott comes again, are you fearful for Dak that he might find yourself getting damage once more? Because that line must get it collectively.

Aikman: I’m not nervous for him. But it’s a concern. I imply, there are some groups the place you take a look at and say, “well, this offensive line is really good.” Dallas has had that for a very long time. We’ve sort of gotten spoiled round Dallas for many years actually, for probably the most half whenever you take a look at the offensive strains which have been put collectively. 

But whenever you take a look at the league usually, which I’m capable of do in my job, there’s not plenty of offensive strains just like the one which I performed behind, or the one which Dak performed behind when he first got here into the league. But they will get it collectively. It’s early. And plenty of these younger gamers they only want some extra reps and it will be nice.

Trahan: Speaking of Dak, there’s a lot criticism, evaluation, speak – gamers prefer to name it “noise” – that he has to cope with due to his job description. You have been a proponent of Dak Prescott. You nonetheless really feel that means?

Aikman: Yeah. I really like the man. He’s going to have video games the place he would not play in addition to he’d like, similar to all of us. I imply, that is the ups and downs and the ebbs and flows of being an NFL quarterback. But why I’m such an advocate of his is I believe he is an excellent chief. He’s an excellent individual. 

And I can inform whenever you speak to teammates of his they usually reply so favorably to what he means to them within the locker room. And they know that, yeah, he’d like to put up enormous numbers, I’m certain, however on the finish of the day, all it issues to him is successful video games. And that ought to be all that issues to everybody that is in that locker room there. They’re all paid to carry out. 

But collectively, they’re solely paid to win. And I believe Dak understands that in all probability higher than most and I love and respect him for it.

Trahan: The NFL feels now extra like a week-to-week league to me than it ever has, and I believe that is a superb factor for Cowboys followers. When you take a look at the general view of this workforce, how far do you suppose they’ll go?

Aikman: Well, they’ll go so far as they wish to go. You know, there’s plenty of different groups that may say that as effectively. And you are proper, everybody reacts to no matter occurred the earlier week after which make conclusions on what that is then going to appear like for the complete season.

Loads can occur, as we all know. Dallas has skilled that with the damage to Prescott. Sometimes expectations can change a bit of bit. But this workforce is nice sufficient … protection is actually ok. And they have been capable of hold Dallas in these video games. They had been capable of assist them win the sport towards Cincinnati and had an opportunity towards Tampa Bay based mostly on how they performed. And if they’ll proceed to do these sort of issues, then it will not actually matter as a lot as to what’s occurring on the offensive facet of the ball. They’ll a minimum of be in video games late with a chance to win. 

And so I appreciated Dallas. I appreciated Dallas final yr. I appreciated the Cowboys quite a bit. And I actually felt that … every little thing simply felt good. You know, it felt like they actually had nice chemistry, that they had nice gamers. And I knew that it was going to be a tricky sport for them towards San Francisco. But, you recognize, I believed that that they had an opportunity final yr to do all of it. 

I do not really feel they’re nearly as good this yr on paper. But that does not imply something. A whole lot of groups aren’t nearly as good on paper. Someone’s going to win the Super Bowl and Dallas ought to be in that dialog. I believe they are going to be.

Trahan: I do wish to speak about you, as a result of you’ve been extremely busy, particularly within the final yr. How’s the beer enterprise?

Aikman: Awesome. Yeah, the beer is doing nice. You know, Joe, we’re unique to Texas. But we have the complete state lined with distributorship. We’ve had nice companions on the retail facet and on the distributorship facet, and other people have responded very well to it. It’s a simple beer to love. It’s the cleanest beer on the market. So in case you are into well being and wellness, which I’m, and you want mild beer, then it is a no brainer, fairly truthfully. And it is not me saying it as a result of it is my beer. That’s simply the way in which that it’s. So I believe it is resonated with folks, and it is doing very well.

RELATED: Troy Aikman has 3 Super Bowl Rings, is a Hall of Famer and now has his personal beer

Trahan: Building a model is hard, although, what have you ever discovered about your self throughout this course of?

Aikman: I have never discovered quite a bit about myself. I’ve discovered quite a bit about beer. And I’ve discovered quite a bit about distributing. And on the retail facet, you recognize, a few of that may be a little bit new to me. I used to be within the automobile enterprise for some time. But it has been plenty of work. It’s been good, although. I’ve by no means minded the work. What I like is that after we sat down and determined that we had been going to make the beer, I went via with my companions, sort of my beliefs in life, my philosophies, why I really feel that I’ve had success and no matter it’s that I’ve carried out. And so every little thing about this beer is true and genuine to me. 

Our tag is “no shortcuts, no excuses.” And that is what I’ve at all times believed in. You must put within the work if you are going to obtain one thing. Nothing’s ever given to you. And so, that is what this beer actually is. It’s what the beer represents. And it is who the beer has been made for: it is for these individuals who get up on daily basis with a function and a ardour and wish to be one of the best that they are often. And they make no excuses. And they exit and do it.

Trahan: And I really like the tour that you simply had. You actually received behind bars, you are assembly folks and giving them the beer.

Aikman: Yeah, I get out within the public, however not fairly in that setting. And I do not do plenty of autograph reveals or issues of that nature. So folks had been excited concerning the beer. They had been excited a few former Cowboy coming to their city and plenty of Cowboys followers had been exhibiting up. It made me really feel, I assume, younger once more, in some methods, as a result of I have never actually skilled plenty of that sort of ambiance since I used to be a participant.

Trahan: But you’re accessible. I imply, I’ve had so many individuals inform me “Oh, I saw Troy running on the Katy Trail,” or “I saw him at Mi Cocina” or Whole Foods or no matter.

Aikman: Yeah, these are the spots.

Trahan: You are, I’d say, extra accessible than most people who find themselves in your stead in life. Why do you deal with it that means? 

Aikman: Well, it is attention-grabbing that you simply say that. And you very effectively could also be proper. I actually do not hold myself from going and doing the issues that I get pleasure from doing in public. I store. I eat out at eating places, and I’ve received spots that I actually get pleasure from. I do spend plenty of time on the Katy Trail. At the identical time, I really feel like in some methods, I pulled again a bit of bit on a number of the issues that I wish to do publicly. 

And plenty of it’s I’m on the market publicly nonetheless as a broadcaster, and I really feel that I gave plenty of myself as a participant and even early on within the broadcasting facet of issues. And you recognize now at my age, I’m simply prepared. I would like extra time for myself. 

So I believe that as I’ve gotten older, and I believe everyone sort of goes via this train to the place I simply, I wish to guarantee that I’m making good use of my time and doing the issues that I wish to do. So when folks see me out publicly on the Katy Trail, or Mi Cocina or Whole Foods or no matter, I’m doing the issues that I do in my life. But if I’m exhibiting up at occasions and capabilities and issues like that, that is the place I’ve in all probability pulled again, and I’ve tried to only be a bit of bit relatively than a shotgun strategy to all that stuff, simply to have a bit of bit extra of a narrowed rifle view and do the issues which can be most significant to me.

RELATED: How Cowboys icon Troy Aikman is giving again to Oklahoma city that molded him into soccer star

Trahan: I do know one factor that was extremely significant to you, the Highway to Henryetta music pageant. Listen, it regarded like a blast. I’m curious, what was it like out of your perspective?

Aikman: It was past something that I might have imagined. I’ve to provide a shout out to Tony Fay Productions, he and his workforce. It would not occur with out them. And so the second that when it actually crystallized for me was when Blake Shelton was on stage. 

I had begun the live performance watching him from out within the viewers after which he wished me to come back up on stage. So about 4 songs in, I went backstage after which went out on stage with him. And then I watched the remainder of the present from the facet of the stage. 

I used to be standing on the facet of the stage proper after I received carried out on the market with him with my daughters, and he sang the music “home.” And everybody had their digital camera telephones going with the sunshine, and I look on the market’s only a sea of flashlights. And that is when it hit me that we pulled this factor off. You know, it is fairly unbelievable. It was a proud second for me. But it was a very proud second for Henryetta to have over 10,000 folks and Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, and Pat Green. 

You know, all of the those who had been part of that, I’m so grateful to everybody. I can not identify everybody. But I’m so grateful to everybody who was part of it as a result of it was not a simple elevate. But we raised some huge cash for a city that would actually use it, which was the target. And it occurred. And lots of people did not suppose we might do it.

Trahan: Well, I used to be there whenever you made that announcement that was going to occur. So that was actually cool. And I wish to transition to the following matter as a result of I used to be there for an additional second that you simply and I shared on the Bush Presidential Center. I received an opportunity to interview you there and also you talked about the ladies going again to Henryetta. Do you wish to speak extra about one thing that you simply and I share? We’re each woman dads. I’ve received two women. You’ve received two women: Jordan and Alexa. And you talked about them, that was the primary time that they had gone again to Henryetta, proper?

Aikman: Yeah and it is solely a three-hour drive. But yeah, they’ve by no means been again. So it was cool to return and present them … drove out to the place I grew up out on the farm and noticed that. 

They had been at the highschool there serving to hand out computer systems and, after which in fact they’re on the live performance the place I performed baseball after I was a child rising up. So it was an excellent weekend all the way in which round.

Trahan: When you concentrate on your women, I do know that you simply posted one thing that was actually cool to me. It was on Father’s Day final yr, however you utilize the music “Daughter’s day.” What resonates for you?

Aikman: Yeah, they’ve Father’s Day due to our kids. And for me, clearly, it is due to my women. It actually is crucial factor to me. And I do know I converse for for you and for all mothers and dads on the market that I’ve been lucky sufficient to meet some goals and play for the Cowboys and win Super Bowls. And now I’ve this superb job, you recognize, with ESPN, however on the finish of the day, our legacies are advised by our youngsters. And so what’s at all times been most vital me, I at all times wished to be a dad. And my hope is that when my time is finished, that my women are telling their children “hey, my dad was a great dad.” And in the event that they’re saying that then my time right here was was effectively spent.

Trahan: We all know it is not straightforward. I actually know it is not straightforward. What was probably the most difficult factor about elevating your women, and what did it train you about being a person?

Aikman: When I grew to become a single dad … I learn plenty of books, making an attempt to determine it out, you recognize, what’s vital? And what I discovered is that women get plenty of their self-worth from their fathers. And so what I wished to do was, I wished to deal with them in a means that once they then received to the age, which they’re now, once they began courting, that they’d then have an expectation as to how a person is meant to deal with them. And I believe I’ve been profitable in that regard. You know, time will inform. But that is in all probability been the problem for me and what I got down to do.

Trahan: They’re each in school now. I do know one’s shut at SMU, however challenges of being an empty nester?

Aikman: It’s been good. Yeah, it has been good. It’s by no means over. I imply, you are by no means carried out, proper? But, I’ve given all I’ve needed to them and pleased doing it. Now it is one other section of life for me, and I’ve embraced it. I’ll say that I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I really feel higher than I’ve ever felt. I’m not happier as a result of they’re gone. But I’m in a very good place in life. And they’re on to their subsequent stage of life. And I’m going to my subsequent stage of life, and it has been great. It’s been, it has been superb. I’ve received mother and father weekend this weekend at SMU. Next weekend, I’ve received mother and father weekend at Washington and Lee. And it is great things.

Trahan: What did you train your women about sport that you simply suppose carries over into their lives?

Aikman: I had three guidelines for them once they performed sports activities. I mentioned you are gonna give nice effort, you are gonna be a superb sport, and you are going to do what your coach tells you to do. And I did not care what number of targets they scored, or what number of baskets they made, none of that stuff was ever vital to me. But these three issues, it would not matter what your degree of potential is, you need to be capable of do these three issues. And they knew that. 

There was not many instances, however there can be instances after I did not suppose that they had lived as much as a type of three tenants. And I’d point out it to them and simply say it is unacceptable. I believe children soak up what they witness. And so my hope is that Jordan and Ally have seen me do the work that I’ve carried out, and work onerous and be capable of understand some targets and a few goals of mine, that pays off then for them. 

And they perceive that, hey, in the event that they’re prepared to do these issues, then then they can also have alternative. And I imagine they’ve as a result of after I watch them in their very own lives, they don’t seem to be afraid to place within the time and do what’s required. And they’ve targets of their very own too. And I’m actual pleased with them. They’re very mature, hardworking younger ladies.

Trahan: You and I did not must decide as a result of we now have women. We did not have to fret about our kids enjoying skilled soccer, and fear about concussions. I keep in mind it is in all probability been 5, six years in the past when it was such an enormous matter within the league. But again then, I keep in mind you saying you did not know in case you would encourage your son to play skilled soccer? Has your thoughts modified in any respect about that, by way of the way in which soccer is performed?

Aikman: It in all probability has. Joe, it is a good query. And I’d say it in all probability has modified. And I do not need what I mentioned earlier than to be misconstrued. I by no means mentioned I would not let my son if I had one play, I simply wasn’t sure that I’d encourage it. And to be sincere with you, I’m pleased my women performed sports activities, however I did not actually encourage them … I’ve by no means actually inspired them to do something aside from their finest, no matter that’s. 

But I do imagine that with soccer as we speak concerning the sport … that it is gotten safer. Loads has occurred within the final decade that I believe has made the sport safer. 

But the massive takeaway is the folks, for probably the most half … I do know there are folks on the market that can be watching this they usually’ll say that is not true. My son had this occur to them or no matter it is likely to be. But for probably the most half, the true trauma begins in school or the NFL. You know, you do not hear as a lot about it on the youthful ranges. But I perceive there’s nonetheless danger. 

But I additionally know what soccer meant to me. And what soccer does that plenty of the opposite sports activities simply aren’t able to doing is soccer is difficult. I imply, it is a onerous sport. I performed baseball. I’d be in there unraveling baseballs and consuming sunflower seeds and telling jokes in between, you recognize, I imply, it is only a complete totally different ambiance. You’re probably not doing that in a soccer sport. And then, you recognize, instances have modified on this sense too, however after I was enjoying you needed to undergo two-a-days. It was sizzling, you recognize, double days. It’s gotten a bit of bit simpler for these athletes however nonetheless, with that being mentioned, it is onerous. And I believe you be taught quite a bit about your self whenever you’re placing in demanding powerful conditions. And it builds character. 

Everything that I imagine is concerned within the sport of soccer and as a way to achieve success, then that is what you bought to do. You’ve started working at it in case you’re gonna be good. You’re gonna have setbacks. You’ve received to get again up and hold going, you recognize, and all of that. So I do suppose soccer builds character. And I believe it makes males out of boys. And so for that motive, I believe the expertise in all probability for many is overwhelmingly optimistic.

Trahan: Are you glad you bought out OK? I imply, lingering results?

Aikman: I’m as wholesome as anybody who received out. I really feel actually lucky and, you recognize, the pinnacle accidents that I had, I do not wish to say they’re regarding, as a result of they don’t seem to be, however you by no means actually know, I assume no matter could, you recognize, maintain down the longer term. But I hold an in depth watch on it. I’ve had checks … been plenty of stuff, and I’m in fine condition there. I did not have any knee surgical procedures. I’m capable of keep energetic. And I do know that there is plenty of gamers, plenty of former teammates of mine that are not as lucky as I used to be.

Trahan: I do not wish to finish on a downer. One-sport athletes. What is your finest recommendation to folks who’ve these actually good athletes about solely enjoying one sport?

Aikman: Yeah, I do not prefer it. Pretty robust opinions about that. If I had solely performed one sport, I by no means would have been an expert soccer participant, I do know that. I’d have put all my eggs within the baseball basket, and tried to go that route. But I simply watched it, I went via it with my women. And I see it now that it would not appear to be these … the choice to play just one sport is often mandated by a coach. 

And I simply do not suppose that one of the best curiosity of the youngsters are what’s on the coronary heart of this. I believe it is what’s in one of the best curiosity of the coach, or these membership groups. What’s in one of the best curiosity of this league? Making cash, sadly. 

Now, there are these children. There are these children who simply are obsessed, they usually’ve determined that that is their sport. That’s what they wish to do. And that is nice. They wish to compete on the highest degree. And I say, superior, you recognize, have at it. But when a child needs to play basketball, needs to play soccer, needs to play baseball, or regardless of the sports activities are. And he is advised that he has to decide on just one. My finest buddy, whose son is now a freshman in highschool, he is being advised he can solely play one sport. And he is fairly good at plenty of sports activities. And I do not like that. I do not like that. 

Because most youngsters aren’t … as a lot as I wished to be an expert athlete, and as a lot as so many different children wish to be skilled athletes, the chance of that occuring, as everyone knows, isn’t actual excessive. And so to not permit these children to benefit from the time they must play these sports activities and play all of them. I’m not in favor of.

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