Friday, January 23, 1998

Aikman named NFL man of the year

By KEN PETERS

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Troy Aikman's job is to get the football into the end zone. The Dallas quarterback is the NFL's man of the year because he's taken the end zone to hospitalized children.

Aikman was honored Thursday by the league for his contributions off the field as well as on.

Aikman's foundation provides financial support for high-tech, football-themed playrooms -- "End Zones" -- for disabled and other hospitalized youths.

"When you get to spend time with these kids, it gives you a chance to put things in perspective," he said. "Although football is important to us, these kids aren't worrying about who we're playing next Sunday.

"They're worrying about whether they're going to be able to get up and walk in the morning."

Aikman and the Cowboys had a 6-10 season that resulted in the firing of coach Barry Switzer.

Aikman would not address the Cowboys' troubles, saying, "I'm sure there are football questions, but I'm not going to answer those today."

Although the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 1990, Aikman has an extremely successful career.

He led Dallas to three Super Bowl victories and has an 11-2 postseason record.

A six-time NFL all-star, he holds or shares 42 Dallas passing records.

Past winners include John Elway, Darrell Green, Boomer Esiason, Joe Theismann and Roger Staubach.