December 27, 1998 - Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas. At halftime, Troy stood at midfield as he was presented with the 1998 Bob Lilly Award. This award is voted by Cowboys fans for the player showing the greatest sportsmanship, dedication, leadership, and achievement. Troy also won the award in 1992, 1995, and 1997.

December 25, 1998 - The Cowboys got to spend Christmas morning with their families because they had a night practice to get ready for Sunday night's game against the Redskins.

December 24, 1998 - ESPN.com: 'Boys must get things in line. Joe Theismann writes: "I don't know of a quarterback in football today who has taken the physical pounding of Troy Aikman. He has just been pummelled. Forget about the sacks; that has been inconsequential. It seems like every time he wants to hold the ball a second, he has someone slamming him into the ground. He gets my warrior award of the year. Nobody has taken the same pounding."

December 22, 1998 - Sports Forum Auditorium, America Online. Troy's mom, Charlyn Aikman, along with Zenobia Anderson, the mother of Jamal Anderson of the Atlanta Falcons, participated in a half-hour holiday chat with the fans of their famous sons. Mrs. Aikman said, "I am ALMOST ready for Christmas! I am having the whole family over here for the day actually." I asked her, "What is usually on the menu for Christmas dinner at the Aikman's?" To which she replied, "usually roast beef." Another fan asked Mrs. Aikman if she could grant one wish for Troy, what it would be. She said it would be happiness. Both ladies were asked if they are tough on their sons' girlfriends when they are brought home to meet them. Mrs. Aikman said, "Oh no! LOL. He dates very nice girls!"

December 21, 1998 - Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas. Troy and his teammates visited four Dallas/Fort Worth children's hospitals today, to make their annual Christmas visit to the young patients. They brought presents, signed autographs, and gave and received some very big smiles. Troy said, "it's very rewarding. I think the kids get something out of it. I think more times than not we're the ones who walk away with probably the biggest smile and feeling good ourselves." When one little boy was leaving the party with his mom and dad, Troy stopped him and said, "are you heading up?" The little boy said, "yeah." Troy said, "you want me to wheel you on up there?" And the happy little boy replied, "yeah, sure!"

December 14, 1998 - A very confident looking and sounding Troy Aikman greeted the media in front of his locker at Valley Ranch today! This is part of what he had to say:

"Every team goes through periods where they struggle, I mean every team goes through that. Every team that I've ever been a part of has been through that. Even when you look back at some of the best years we've had around here, we've had periods where we struggle. You know this year is no different, it just so happens that right now we are struggling later in the year as opposed to the middle of the year or early in the year and it's not a real good time to be doing it.

"In '95 we went through it in December. We wound up winning the Super Bowl. You don't like to have those times and those spurts during the season. We've got to be able to overcome that. The season's not lost by any means. We go out and win this game on Sunday we're right back where we want to be. We win the East. We're in the playoffs, and a wild card game at home. And you know anything can happen."

December 14, 1998 - ESPN Magazine. Check out the December 14th issue, page 126, for some questions and answers with Troy: his most embarrassing moment on the football field, why quarterbacks don't dance in the endzone, Deion's "healing touch," and the lady in Troy's life.

December 11, 1998 - Majestic Theater, downtown Dallas. Coach Joe Avezanno helped out the Special Olympics this evening with the Cowboys annual benefit, which raised $50,000. This year's event did not include an autograph session with the players, but a number of players, including Troy, did attend to visit with fans. Country star Collin Raye performed for the 1,600 folks packed into the theater.

December 8, 1998 - I got a lovely email today from a reader named Sharyn Klumb and wanted to pass it along to all of you: "Hi Kathryn I just wanted to fill ya in on a Troy sighting - I'm a volunteer at Children's Medical Center of Dallas and today , Tuesday Dec 8, 1998 Troy and center/ deep snapper Dale Hellestrae helped light the tree in front of Children's Medical Center. Troy then went inside to see the children who could not go outside in front of the hospital. All I have to say is that Troy has an amazing gift by being able to make hundreds of children smile just by looking and waving at them not to mention the look on the kids faces who were able to talk to him up close. He 's able to give the type of medicine that no doctor or nurse could ever give!!!Thanks and keep up the great work with the page!!!!!"

December 8, 1998 - "Ask Troy Aikman" Message Board, Athlete Direct, America Online. Troy came online and posted this afternoon. He quite aptly dealt with some very negative comments regarding Coach Gailey and the Cowboys performance in New Orleans this past Sunday. He also took time to thank his "Regulars" for his birthday gift:

"I would like to thank all of you that donated to The Troy Aikman Foundation for my birthday. It was a very pleasant surprise and one that will help a lot of less fortunate children through the work that we are doing at children's hospitals. We are excited about the work that the Foundation is doing. In fact, we will be opening our third "Endzone" this winter in Oklahoma City."

"So on behalf of all the children that will benefit from your generosity, Thank you!"

Troy's Regulars (his fans in Athlete Direct) made a donation to his foundation in the amount of $2,668 in honor of his birthday. This was the third year in a row that we got together to do this.

December 3, 1998 - It was announced today that Troy Aikman has signed a three-year endorsement agreement with CoopSport International, Ltd. Troy will appear on all company packaging and serve as a spokesman for the Hawaii-based company. CoopSport is the world's exclusive designer and manufacturer of Neoprene-based sporting goods and accessories. In addition to the WET BALL footballs, new products include WET GLOVE baseball gloves, WET DISK flying disks and WET VOLLEY volley balls.

December 3, 1998 - Cowboys locker room, Cowboys practice facility at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. In an interview after practice today, Troy discussed the remainder of the season:

"I think that December is the month that defines the teams that are going to go on and have success in the playoffs and those that aren't. I do believe it's important if you're going to go into the playoffs to play well in December. We have dispelled that at times over the course of my career when we've had success in the playoffs. But it is a pivotal time for us right now.

I think the team is still very confident. We think we are a good football team. And when we can play as well as we are capable of playing, I think we can play with anybody in the League. We've got some work left for us. We've got to win the next two out of four games to win the East, but I don't think that's what our goal was coming in. It goes beyond that. But right now what we've got to worry about is getting into the playoffs and that starts this week against New Orleans. And I think we'll be fine once we get in."

December 1998 - Texas Monthly Magazine. "The Real Troy Aikman. His dreams. His fears. The truth about his love life. A candid chat with Texas' most misunderstood sports hero." (The article is not available online, but you can see the cover on the website). You can also contact Texas Monthly to get a copy of the article or the December issue: http://www.texasmonthly.com/mag/services/backissues.html

December 1998 - Did you know that Troy's favorite author is Max Lucado? That's just one of the pieces of information on Troy included in the 1998 Dallas Cowboys Family Cookbook, the cookbook compiled annually by the Cowboys wives to benefit the Courage House at Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home. There is lots of information on Troy and the other players, candid personal photos, and wonderful recipes. Phone (800)972-0773 to order (ask for item # 11M). Cost is $19.95 per book, plus $6.00 postage and handling ($2 p/h per each additional book). Orders can be FAXed to (254)897-7650. If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the cookbook is available at a number of locations, including Winn Dixie stores.

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