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Troy Aikman #8

Aikman was the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, held by the Cowboys. On February 25, 1989, new owner Jerry Jones fired Tom Landry, and replaced him with Jimmy Johnson. A few months later in the NFL's supplemental draft, Johnson drafted Steve Walsh, who played for Johnson at the University of Miami. Aikman won the starting quarterback job, and Walsh was traded early in the 1990 season.

Aikman's NFL career started with a 28-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The following week, Aikman threw his first touchdown pass, a 65-yard completion to Michael Irvin, but the Atlanta Falcons intercepted two passes and won. He finished 1989 with an 0-11 record as a starter, completing 155 of 293 passes for 1,749 yards, 9 TDs, 18 INTs.

Aikman proved resilient, however, and in 1990, nearly led the Cowboys to the playoffs. In 1991, he led the Cowboys to a 6-5 record in the first 11 games and had the Cowboys ahead in week 12 against undefeated Washington when he was injured. Steve Beuerlein lead to a playoff win. Aikman played in the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Detroit Lions, but lost, 38-6. However, he was selected to the first of six consecutive Pro Bowls.

In 1992, Aikman set career highs in completions (302), passing yards (3,445) and touchdown passes (23), and led the Cowboys to a team record 13 regular season victories. The team won Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills, 52-17. Aikman, named Super Bowl MVP, completed 22-of-30 passes for 273 yards with 4 TDs.

In 1993, Aikman posted a 99.0 passer rating, and Dallas finished with a 12-4 record and defeated the Bills again in Super Bowl XXVIII. Johnson left the team on 29 March 1994, and Jones hired Barry Switzer, a former college teammate at the University of Arkansas. The Cowboys lost the NFC Championship game to the San Francisco 49ers.

In 1995, Aikman amassed over 3,300 yards passing as the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17. In 1997, Aikman became the first quarterback in Dallas history to have three straight 3,000-yard seasons, but the team finished 6-10, and missing the playoffs. Switzer suffered the first losing season of his career, and resigned in 1996.

Revolving-door personnel changes plagued the Cowboys for the rest of Aikman's tenure. He also suffered a series of concussions. His 10th, at the hands of Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, would end his career. The Cowboys finished the 2000 season 5-11.

After he was waived a day before he was due a $70 million/7-year contract extension, Aikman announced his retirement on 9 April 2001 after failing to find another team. He ended his career as the Cowboys' all-time leading passer (32,942 yards). 90 of his 94 career wins were in the 1990s and were the most by any quarterback in any decade.^[7]