I certainly would not be here without you. There were so many other special players that I had a chance to play with, guys such as Jay Novacek, the irreplaceable and unsung hero of our franchise, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, the blue collar guy who I'm not ashamed to say was better at his job than any other player on the team was theirs, including myself. It wouldn't have happened without the help of a lot of great coaches. Troy's teammates would tell you he was a leader of those great Dallas teams of the '90s. [1st] Most Touchdowns Passing, Career - 165 Aikman's 22 of 30 for 273 yards passing and four touchdowns earned him Super Bowl MVP honors. I'm so grateful to the NFL, to the Cowboys, to my teammates, and to my coaches, for helping me get here. I, too, am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, an amazing player and even better man who left us far too soon. "It's the violence of the sport," Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman observed. But I feel more privileged to have been his close friend throughout the years. The first is Leigh Steinberg. The interviewer politely asked me why. He was also named UCLAs offensive and team MVP. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that these are the jobs we've always dreamed of having. [2nd] Most Yards Gained, Game - 455 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 26, 1998) or redistributed. [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Completed - 8 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo) 8, Troy Aikman. I'd have to say, though, that the Super Bowl was my greatest moment in sports, and it was also my most emotional moment." Quarterback Troy Aikman finished his collegiate career as the third rated passer in NCAA history. There were so many other special players that I had a chance to play with, guys such as Jay Novacek, the irreplaceable and unsung hero of our franchise, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, the blue collar guy who I'm not ashamed to say was better at his job than any other player on the team was theirs, including myself. I'd also like to thank the many friends, family and fans who have traveled great distances to share this moment with me today. Anyway, Bill Holt in Henrietta taught me about the sacrifices that must be made to excel. Other Members of Class of 2006: Harry Carson, John Madden, Warren Moon, Reggie White, Rayfield Wright, Drafted: 1st round (1st player overall) in 1989 by Dallas Cowboys [Tied for 2nd] Most Completions, Game - 33 (at Miami, Oct. 27, 1996) [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Rookie Season - 52.9 (1989) At time of his retirement following 2000 season. Of all those years, Norv and I were together for only three. We could have given it to Emmitt?". Jersey Number: 8. I was also fortunate to have played for a franchise whose owner was as committed to winning as anybody on the field. I didn't seek it, and yet I'm here. He had been slammed to the turf at the Vet by Clyde Simmons. I know a lot of you have come to watch other inductees and have reason to leave, but you stuck it out, and I appreciate that very much. When defenses focused on Irvin and/or Smith, Aikman would find tight end Jay Novacek or wide receiver Alvin Harper. I enjoyed the best seat in the house as I watched Emmitt Smith run his way to the NFL's all time rushing record. A lot of kids want that, but very few actually get the chance. In Dallas, my role as the quarterback was to move our team down the field and score points. It was a thrill for me to coach him three years in Dallas. [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 4 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo), Cowboys' records held by Aikman at the time of his retirement following the 2000 season, [1st] Most Seasons Leading Team, Passing - 12 (1989-00) [Tied for 2nd] Most Completions, Game - 33 (at Miami, Oct. 27, 1996) He knew the things he had to do to give his team the best chance to win. Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote Its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere, "I have a real hard time classifying anything as my biggest moment, my favorite color or whatever. I've known Mark since I was 22 years old. Super Bowl XXVII- Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17 He's the big brother I never had. Since that time I've not met a finer, more trustworthy person. I know it's been a long day. Was one of the best offensive minds and greatest people that this game has ever known. So many other coaches are responsible for my development as a player. His impact on me was significant. Alvin Harper ran a slant. Although he showed great promise and threw for a rookie-record 379 yards in a game against the Phoenix Cardinals, the team finished 1-15. Ernie, I say thank you for everything. As you saw today, there's a lot of great ones to choose from. 8, Troy Aikman. Joe Buck's TV partner Troy. We had a good system in Dallas. He'd say this when times were tough, maybe we'd lost a close game, I'd thrown the deciding interception or the grind and the rigors of the season were beginning to take their toll on me. [1st] Most Passing Attempts, No Interceptions, Game - 57 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 26, 1998) The Colts (4-7-1) travel to Arlington this week for a matchup against the Cowboys (8-3) Sunday night. Leigh was my agent throughout my career. Aikman, wide receiver Michael Irvin, and running back Emmitt Smith delivered an offensive attack that opponents found nearly impossible to contain. My intensity on the field was a reflection of you and your impact on my athletic career was greater than you'll ever know. Finally, after the 2000 season, the Cowboys' six-time Pro Bowl selection announced his retirement from football. It's said you're judged by the company you keep. I'd also like to thank the many friends, family and fans who have traveled great distances to share this moment with me today. Every move Jerry Jones made was done with the sole purpose of helping the Cowboys win championships. Terri and Tami were pretty good athletes themselves. Ryan and the Colts were able to get on track in the second half, scoring 14 points in the third quarter alone. In Dallas, my role as the quarterback was to move our team down the field and score points. Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. [Tied for 1st] Most Times Sacked, Game - 11 (vs. Philadelphia, Sept. 15, 1991) Mom, you're an amazing woman. As I look at the men on this stage behind me, I think about the many great moments that they helped produce. My mother, Charlynn sacrificed so much for myself and my two sisters, shuttling us to practices, attending our games, fixing meals, keeping our uniforms clean, and basically always being there for us whenever we needed her, regardless of whatever else might have been occupying her time at the moment. He's the big brother I never had. [1st] Most Consecutive Games, Touchdown Pass - 5 (1992-1993, 1994-1995) "If we completed that ball on third and four, we would have won the game." And I thank him for having the biggest single influence on my career. [1st] Most Pass Completions, Rookie Season - 155 (1989) I, too, am saddened by the absence of Reggie White, an amazing player and even better man who left us far too soon. I joked to Troy, We've got to get you to get rid of that ball a little quicker. [1st] Most Passing Yards Gained, Career - 32,942 Another one of Troy's real strengths was his ability to bring out the best in everyone around him. Rhonda, you're a wonderful mother, an example to our three daughters, Rachel, Jordan, and Alex. I'm so grateful to the NFL, to the Cowboys, to my teammates, and to my coaches, for helping me get here. I owe so much of my success to UCLA and to my head coach there at the time, Terry Donahue. Reggie, Warren, Harry, Rayfield, and John represented the game with class, just as Lesley Visser, the first female recipient of the Pete Rozelle Award, brought respect and professionalism to the field of journalism for her work in print and broadcasting. [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Season - 1.53 (1993) Uniform Number: 8. As the young quarterback improved, however, so too did the Cowboys' record. [2nd] Most Times Sacked, Career - 259 I don't want to say I was surprised. Then of course there was Jimmy. Few have had the great release, the unbelievable arm strength, and incredible accuracy of Troy Aikman. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Rookie Season - 52.9 (1989) Norv came to Dallas as an offensive coordinator in 1991, my third season, and turned around one of the worst offenses in the National Football League, and gave guidance to a young quarterback who was in desperate need of some direction. [Tied for 1st] Most Passes Intercepted, Game - 5 (at N.Y. Giants, Oct. 15, 2000) Warren Moon, Reggie White, Harry Carson and Rayfield Wright played the game the way it should be played. A couple years ago during an interview, I was asked, if I got to coach one game, who would I choose as my starting quarterback. [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 4 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo), [2nd] Longest Pass Completion - 94 (to Alvin Harper, vs. Green Bay, 1994) That's it. I was able to live a dream. Troy has also been selected to six Pro Bowl teams while throwing for over 28,000 yards and 141 touchdowns. Troy's teammates would tell you he was a leader of those great Dallas teams of the '90s. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Season - 69.1 (1993) I'm also honored to have Norv Turner here today as my presenter. Was one of the best offensive minds and greatest people that this game has ever known. Terrell Edmunds (34) of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Matt Ryan (2) of the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter in a game at Lucas Oil Stadium Nov. 28, 2022, in Indianapolis. Didn't take long to see that Jimmy was unique, and it wasn't just because of his hair. Mark, thank you for the commitment and support over the last 17 years. We had a good system in Dallas. Transcript: Read Kurt Warner's Hall of Fame speech The Gazette Aug. 6, 2017 7:00 am Editor's note: Cedar Rapids native Kurt Warner was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [2nd] Lowest Percentage, Passes Intercepted, Career - 1.25 Troy was driven to be the best, and he expected the same from everyone around him. [3rd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 80.8 (at N.Y. Giants, Sept. 30, 1990) You've always given more than you've gotten, yet I don't think you'd have it any other way. Jimmy always played to win. Thank you for the hospitality and thank you for the courtesy you've shown me and my family. His career statistics include 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns for a passer rating of 81.6. During that time we became great friends and won two Super Bowls. [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns Passing, Game - 4 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo) [3rd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Season - 64.8 (1995) Jimmy always played to win. I'd also like to thank the many friends, family and fans who have traveled great distances to share this moment with me today. [1st] Most Touchdowns Passing, Career - 165 That decision would turn around my career. [2nd] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 85.7 (at Atlanta, Dec. 21, 1992) He meant that much to my career and to the Dallas Cowboys. Team owner Jim Irsay relieved Frank Reich of his head coaching duties Nov. 7 after a disappointing 351 start. Yet it's our friendship that is most special because it has endured long after he stopped coaching me in Dallas. (Scott Galvin/USA Today Sports). In an era of super egos, he never let his get in the way of winning. Golf game hasn't gotten any better. He had been slammed to the turf at the Vet by Clyde Simmons. [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Passes Completed - 8 (SB XXVII, vs. Buffalo) You know, after a game, a lot of times you have those "if's." 8, Troy Aikman. You know what I'm talking about. [1st] Most Passes Intercepted, Career - 141 COLTS' JEFF SATURDAY EXPLAINS REFUSAL TO USE TIMEOUTS ON FINAL DRIVE: 'FELT LIKE WE HAD TIME'. During his NFL career, he has led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl Championships and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Career - 61.5 [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Game - 76.67 (vs. Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1995) [1st] Most Passing Attempts, No Interceptions, Game - 34 (at San Francisco, Jan. 17, 1993) Troy hit him right between the numbers. Thank you for the hospitality and thank you for the courtesy you've shown me and my family. The second person is my long time business advisor, Mark Grigg. In 1990, Aikman completed 226 of 399 passes for 2,579 yards and 11 touchdowns - the team finished 7-9. [1st] Highest Pass Completion Percentage, Career - 61.5 Super Bowls were more important than statistics. Troy's teammates would tell you he was a leader of those great Dallas teams of the '90s. 8's first eight. In the 1994 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers, Aikman completed 23 of 30 passes for 337 yards. [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Completions, Game - 10 (SB XXX, vs. Pittsburgh) I wouldn't be here without you. Leigh was my agent throughout my career. They all made significant contributions to their teams, and that's why they're here. [1st] Most Games, 300 or More Passing Yards, Career - 4 Prior to joining the Cowboys, Aikman passed for 5,298 yards and 41 touchdowns in two years at UCLA. Yet there's no doubt in my mind that if Norv Turner had not entered my life, I wouldn't be joining these men in the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. But my greatest blessings in life have been my family and friends. I know he's watching. Aikman started the game at quarterback. I'd also like to say that the people in Canton, Ohio, have been absolutely terrific. Some guard against overconfidence. Fox News Flash top sports headlines for November 29. Troy's greater strength as a player was his ability to focus and stay focused in the most unusual circumstances. Since I didn't have a brother, they were the ones who satisfied my need to get better by playing catch, running routes, rebounding baskets, and doing pretty much everything else little brother needed. But my greatest blessings in life have been my family and friends. It was a privilege to play for Jerry and the rest of the Jones family, and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me and their commitment to making the Cowboys a championship organization. It was very difficult coaching against Troy and the Cowboys the next seven years. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. You also have those "why's." It's said you're judged by the company you keep. Leigh was my agent throughout my career. [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Passes Completed - 12 (at Green Bay, Oct. 6, 1991), [1st] Most Passing Attempts, Career - 502 Troy was consistently the most accurate passer I've ever seen. Thank you, Strapper. I remember after the workout calling my good friend and coach Ernie Zampese. [1st] Lowest Percentage Passes Intercepted, Career - 2.99 [Tied for 2nd] Most Passes Intercepted, Game - 3 (vs. Arizona, Jan. 2, 1999) [1st] Most Passes Intercepted, Career - 141