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Barry Switzer admits fault to Troy Aikman
By Ed Werder
The Dallas Morning News
(July 17, 1996)
IRVING, Texas (KRT) - The defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys
report to training camp today with coach Barry Switzer taking
responsibility for mishandling the racially charged incident largely
responsible for his fractured relationship with quarterback Troy
Aikman.
"I made a mistake, and I'm man enough to admit it,"
Switzer said.
While maintaining he became involved to protect Aikman when the
incident occurred last year, Switzer said he recently apologized
to Aikman for his role in the unnecessary controversy.
Following one lengthy meeting on their relationship and several
telephone conversations with his coach, Aikman this week said
he hopes that despite their philosophical differences, there will
be reduced tension between them throughout the upcoming season.
"I'm not dwelling on what our relationship has been the last
two years, and neither is Barry," he said. "I feel good
about where we are going into camp. I'm going in open-minded as
he is, and hopefully we don't go through some of the things we've
been through in the past."
Switzer said he regrets that Aikman was forced to defend himself
against charges he singled out black teammates for criticism.
The quarterback was shoved into that position after former defensive
assistant John Blake contended in a private meeting with Switzer
that Aikman's conduct had threatened to become a divisive influence
on the team.
"I told Troy that I made a mistake, but it was an honest
mistake," Switzer said. "I was concerned about Troy.
I should have told those who brought it to me, because they were
concerned, that in the heat of competition, things are said between
players and players, coaches and coaches, and players and coaches
that when the competition is over, it is resolved.
"I should have said to Blake, 'Get the hell out of here.
The players will handle that, and it will all work out. They don't
need me to get involved.' But I got involved in it and talked
about it to the squad, and I should have ignored it."
The accusations Blake made undercut Aikman's leadership position,
provoked an angry meeting with Switzer and led the quarterback
to confront high-profile players, including Deion Sanders, Darren
Woodson and Kevin Williams.
Blake, released before the NFL playoffs to become head coach at
Oklahoma, went to Switzer with his concerns after Aikman berated
wide receiver Kevin Williams following an incompletion in an upset
loss to the Washington Redskins.
Cowboys players from Charles Haley to Michael Irvin and Sanders
stood in Aikman's defense when the controversy became public during
the Super Bowl. But Aikman cited the internal conflict as an unnecessary
obstacle he had to overcome while leading the Cowboys to their
third Super Bowl championship in four seasons.
Switzer said the incident was unfortunate for him, because critics
manipulated the problem to bolster their own agendas.
"It became an issue that people started to invent what was
said, and all my critics out here - those who don't want me to
be successful - they pumped away at it," he said. "Then,
all of a sudden, it becomes a bigger cloud that divides people
and hurts people."
There remain philosophical differences between Aikman and Switzer
that may never be reconciled.
Aikman wants to practice and play in a structured, orderly and
disciplined environment. Those are not often considered trademarks
of Switzer, although he insists he is often forceful and disciplines
players when necessary in a private forum.
But Aikman and Switzer seem to have reached a consensus on one
thing: The season will be less painful for Aikman if he is not
constantly asked about his relationship with Switzer; and Switzer
will suffer less if not incessantly asked about his relationship
with Aikman.
"Troy is very committed to working with Barry for the good
of the team," said agent Leigh Steinberg, who represents
Aikman. "Troy's goal is to get to the Super Bowl, and he's
had positive discussions with Barry Switzer. I'm sure they're
going to have a relationship that's dedicated to winning. Their
relationship is going to be reasonable this year."
X X X
(c) 1996, Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune
Information Services.
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