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July 2000
July 24, 2000 - The Sporting News published its list of 99 good guys in professional sports this week. They named an ultimate good guy, and named the top good guy in football, baseball, hockey, and basketball. Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman won top good guy honors for the NFL. To read the story on Troy, visit: http://www.sportingnews.com/magazine/nfl/articles/20000724/248826.html
July 24, 2000 - Wichita Falls, Texas. Troy Aikman sat down for a one-on-one interview with Mike Doocy of FOX 4 in Dallas. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Doocy asked Troy about the annual Cowboys golf outing that had been held earlier in the day.
Troy said, "It was a nice break from football. The golf itself didn't go all that well. This year I probably played as much golf in the off-season as I ever have in any point in my career, and I do enjoy the game!"
Doocy asked, "Did you get to watch any of the British Open? The Tiger show?"
Troy said, "I saw a little bit of it. Some of these tournaments would probably be pretty good tournaments if he wasn't playing."
Doocy asked, "If you were 20 years old again, and you could be a very good pro golfer or a very good pro football player, which would you choose and why?"
Troy answered, "I think I'd go golf. Obviously I love the game. It's a lot of fun. And also you get to, you're only relying on yourself which, a certain aspect of that is pretty good."
Doocy turned to football. "Let's talk about this training camp. This is your 4th head coach. It's fashionable to say when there's a new head coach that there's a new energy, there's a new enthusiasm. But does this really feel any different than any training camp in the past?"
Troy said, "It's different. Yeah. I think so. He brings a different attitude, a different energy than what Chan brought so that creates a different atmosphere surrounding the football team. I really sense a lot of the same things we did under Jimmy's regime, and I think part of that is planned. Dave wants part of that. But he also wants to have his own identity but he knows some of the things that were successful for us. He has a lot of strong beliefs in some of the same things that Jimmy did."
Doocy said, "you've talked endlessly about the new weapons in this camp. Joey Galloway and Harris the tight end among others. Still, a lot of people who know football think that when it's all said and done this offense is going to rest on Troy Aikman's shoulders. Is that a fair statement?"
Troy responded, "well no. I don't think it's fair. I don't think it's fair in any year and I don't think it's fair to say that about any player on any team. One of the great things about football is it's the ultimate team sport. You really rely on everybody. And so for one guy to be designated as the guy who has to carry the team, or do something I think is not quite right. I think from a team's point of view, what we have to do is score points. We feel that our defense is going to play well. Offensively we have to score points, and as a quarterback obviously you have a big part to do with that. I'm looking forward to what we've got. I'm looking forward to the players we've got, what we're doing within the system. I think this should be an exciting year for us."
Doocy said, "it had to be kind of odd coming to this camp without Daryl Johnston and without Michael Irvin. You've played 11 seasons. Why do you keep coming back?"
Troy chuckled. "Well sometimes I ask myself that too. It's something I still enjoy. I still enjoy competing on Sundays. There's a lot to the game that I don't enjoy. There are parts of the territory that are not fun for me. But ultimately I still enjoy going out and suiting up on Sundays and competing. That's what it's all about, and when I fail to have fun doing that then I will get out."
Doocy said he had to ask one "Oprah question." "Has marriage and fatherhood changed Troy Aikman and how?"
Troy got rather serious. "Oh I think it has. I think it would be naive on my part to say that it hasn't. I think it's changed for the better. As I've said throughout camp I refuse to say that it's given me a different perspective on things or a better perspective, but it certainly has I guess made me reprioritize some of the things that I feel are important to me. It's put football in its proper place. And now I have other people to consider rather than myself. As you mentioned I have a wife and a child and that part is very fun for me."
Doocy wondered, "has it changed how you look at how long you might play because of the responsibilities you have?"
Troy said, "no...no...not at all. But obviously my first and foremost concerns are their well-being and our happiness."
Doocy said, "DJ and Michael have decided to go into broadcasting. When you're finished playing would you like to stay close to the game? And if so, in what capacity?"
Troy replied, "well, I don't know. There are times when I'd like to and I think there may be some opportunities in that area if it's something I want to get into. I just really haven't decided what I want to do when I'm done playing." He smiled. "Right now my plate is full. I'm just trying to win some football games."
July 23, 2000 - Wichita Falls, Texas. Two of the 350 pictures I snapped between July 21 and July 23 while watching the 'Boys practice. I know you don't believe me (because I never got last year's pictures up on the web) but some more of them will be up soon - really. 
Photos © 2000 by Kathryn Hansen
July 20, 2000 - Wichita Falls, Texas. Troy is scheduled to be a guest on Dale Hansen's Sports Special, which airs starting at 10:15 p.m. CDT on WFAA, Channel 8 in Dallas. Inside Cowboys Camp.
July 17, 2000 - Wichita Falls, Texas. Dallas Cowboys training camp opens. Get the practice schedule, latest player roster, autographs tips, and more at: http://members.aol.com/bluekate2/cowboyscamp.html.
July 6, 2000 - ESPN reairs Troy's appearance on "Outside the Lines," tonight at 7 p.m. eastern.
July 5, 2000 - Search engine Lycos has released its list of the 50 athletes most searched for by Lycos users from June 1, 1999 - May 31, 2000. Troy came in at 39th. There are only two other football players on the list: the late Walter Payton who ranked 19th, and former Detroit Lion running back Barry Sanders, who ranked 49th. Check out the entire list at: http://50.lycos.com/sport_top_50.html.
