Troy Aikman: A friend remembers
(E-Mail from Michael Witt - witt@netcom.com)
I grew up with Troy from 8th grade to his senior year in high school. I
caught passes from him in football and was catcher for him in baseball.
But here are some little known facts about Troy.
He "won" the Oklahoma State Typing Contest in 1984. He was the
starting QB in the 1984
All-State Football game and on the first play threw an 80 -yard TD pass.
Troy was not only All-State in football but baseball as well. And was an
All-State Honorable Mention in basketball.
Many people don't know that Troy's favorite sport was baseball - shortstop
to be specific. During his senior year, scouts from the White Sox and Yankees
came to Henryetta to see him. But Troy wanted to go to college.
But did you know that the University of Oklahoma was not his first choice?
He wanted to attend the University of Arkansas because of coach Lou Holtz.
But a few weeks later Lou was forced to resign and went to the University
of Minnesota. Lou still wanted Troy to play QB for him, but Troy did not
want to go to Minnesota.
While Troy was attending the University of Oklahoma, alumni from the University
contacted the Henryetta School Board to convince them that the school needed
to change its mascot. We were the Henryetta Fighting Hens.
I guess the alumni thought it would bring embarrassment to the University
to have a QB who used to be a "chicken". It's ironic that only
years later (after Troy transferred to UCLA) the University of
Oklahoma would have a QB spend time in jail for drugs. Could this be what's
wrong with sports today????
To this day I'm am still friends with Troy, and he still has the same good
morals and standards that he did in back in school years ago. What you see
is what you get with Troy. Just a good ole' boy from Oklahoma.
Just thought some of your readers would enjoy his pre-Cowboy fame.