August 29, 1998 - Third Annual 570-KLIF Cowboys Kickoff, Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas. What a blast! The Dallas Cowboys kickoff party was held on the playing field of Texas Stadium, with the KLIF stage at the north endzone (doing non-stop sports talk the entire time). There was a music stage at the south endzone. The guests for the KLIF show included most of the assistant coaches, Chan, Mrs. Gailey, Billy D., Chad, Moose, Nate, Richie, Toby, etc.

Before the gates opened I went to the Pro Shop to get one of the new Billy Davis jerseys. I had planned on wearing it. When he was doing the KLIF broadcast he signed a few autographs, and everyone urged me to go up there too. He looked so surprised to see his jersey handed to him. He even showed it to the radio guys.

I also got autographs from Eric Bjornson, David LaFleur (sweet but very quiet), Richie Cunningham (a major sweetie...I may adopt him...LOL), Toby Gowin, and Dale Hellestrae. In fact, all of them were just real sweethearts! I know Troy was there, but didn't go looking for him...since I wasn't getting his autograph for the zillionth time. My goddaughter Kalee wanted his autograph on her Cowboys hat, but they ran out of the 200 tickets sold for his autograph just two people ahead of her. She bounced back. She got Jeff Ogden's autograph...she says he has gorgeous muscles. (Jeff made the final roster and will be #81 instead of the #16 he wore in training camp). Apparently Jeff has now usurped Jason Garrett in her heart...10-year-olds are such a fickle lot!

Kalee also got Charles Haley's autograph, and he played with her for about 10 minutes. She handed him her hat and he said thank you, and then pretended he was just going to keep it. She got "indignant" -- she wasn't quite sure what to make of Mr. Haley.

They had lots of game booths set up, and Kalee had fun playing. I mostly hung out at the KLIF stage and watched the guys broadcast.

August 23, 1998 - Athlete Direct football chatroom, America Online. Troy came online around 7:30 this morning to post and chat. To the group in the chatroom he said, "I see I'm not the only one that couldn't sleep...lol." He said the offense played much better last night. "I was very pleased with the performance." He is a little tender today, however. "I'm a lil' sore this morning....the nose is very sore," he said. He said the starters will not play much against Jacksonville on Thursday. When asked about his predictions for the coming season, Troy said, "I think the East is pretty tight...I think all the teams have legitimate shots." He also said, "I don't think there is an overly dominant team in the NFL this year." Someone responded that it appeared that way after watching all the preseason games. Troy said, "I don't think you can judge much about a team based on pre-season games though....and it's not just because we are 0-4!!!!...LOL." When asked about the number two receiver, Troy said, "I think at this time you'll see both Billy Davis and Ernie Mills sharing time at #2."

Over on his message boards, Troy responded to lots of posts. One post inquired who his backup quarterback will be this season. Troy responded, "Jason Garrett will be my back-up this year. Jason has been our third team quarterback for the past several years and he has finally moved up to second team. I am very proud of Jason and happy for him that all his hard work has paid off." Another post asked Troy when he comes online, and he said, "I don't have a specific time on when I come online to answer posts or chat. It's all dependant on my schedule and time availability, but I hope to catch you online sometime in the near future...: )"

August 19, 1998 - Athlete Direct football chatroom, America OnLine. Troy surprised us by coming into chat this evening. Troy was in a great mood, and expressed a great deal of optimism about the coming season. He said, "I am getting more and more comfortable with the shotgun formation -- actually looking forward to doing some things out of the shotgun." He is also quite happy with Chan Gailey as his head coach. "Chan is a good coach and even better person." He also said that a new Aikman's End Zone will open in Oklahoma City in October. In response to a lot of questions about trade rumors that have been hashed out over the air, Troy told us, "You all should really avoid listening to talk radio." He also said that his radio show this year will be part of the KVIL pre-game show. And in response to a question on his message board, he said that the shopping carts (for the DirecTV commercial) were quite uncomfortable to ride around in, but that he had a lot of fun making the commercial.

July 25, 1998 - 2:00 a.m. eastern on TNN. The Wrangler/City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge will air again.

July 16, 1998 - Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. The 'Boys start practice this afternoon. Camp will run through August 15th.

July 15, 1998 - Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. The Cowboys reported to training camp today, and the media was onhand to try to capture every second of it. Troy has made it clear in previous years that he does not like the media swarming around him and other players while they unpack their cars and head into the dorm. Today he appeared quite pleased that he didn't have to endure that little ritual. He was grinning when he told the media: "I didn't have to get upset with anyone this year, and I was able to cruise into town yesterday unnoticed. And then a little earlier I saw y'all were caged behind your fence. I like this. Yeah, this is good."

Troy got to check out the MSU facilities today too. He said, "the locker room is much more spacious than what we had at St. Ed's. The equipment guys seem to be happy with their accommodations. The fields are in great shape - I saw those yesterday. From our perspective as players I don't know that we could ask for anything more."

For additional information on the Cowboys training camp, read my Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Info Page.

July 15, 1998 - 8:00 p.m. eastern, 7:00 p.m. central on TNN. The Wrangler/City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge will air again, with a repeat at 2:00 a.m. eastern.

July 14, 1998 - Jaycee Park, Wichita Falls, Texas. The city threw a welcome to Wichita Falls party for the Cowboys, and it turned into a huge pep rally when the Boys showed up on stage. Troy, Emmitt Smith, Nate Newton, and Chad Hennings, along with Jerry Jones and Coach Gailey were came onstage to pump up the crowd. Troy said, "Last year when it was announced that we were going to be coming here to Wichita Falls, we got word back in Dallas that you all were awfully excited about us coming here." A roar went up from the crowd and Troy chuckled. "Quite frankly, I think that was an understatement!"

June 21, 1998 - Athlete Direct, America Online. Troy made another late night appearance to answer posts on his message board. I had asked him whether he had injured his right hamstring in the softball game (I'm a worrywart!). He answered: "Kathy, No, I did not injure my hamstring in the softball game. We really had a lot of fun and it was enjoyable for me to get a chance to see some of my friends in music." In answer to another post, he gave a very enlightening glimpse into his selection of Leigh Steinberg as his agent in 1989: "I went through a very lengthy process when I was coming out of UCLA to determine who I would hire to represent me in contract negotiations. I used some friends of mine that are attorneys in Oklahoma City to help with 'screening'. The process took three days and we interviewed two agents a day. At the conclusion of those three days, I felt that Leigh Steinberg would be best equipped to represent me. I am very happy that I chose Leigh. In my opinion he is the best agent in sports and also a very good friend of mine."

June 17, 1998 - 8:00 p.m. eastern, 7:00 p.m. central on TNN. The Wrangler/City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge aired.

June 14, 1998 - Wrangler/City of Hope, Celebrity Softball Challenge, Greer Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee. Troy played first base for winning team WSM-FM in its 17-9 rout of WSIX. In the first inning, with two runners on base, Troy smashed a grounder deep into left field for a double, getting two RBIs in the process. He advanced to third on a hit by Chely Wright, and then scored when the next batter hit a home run. In the second inning, with two outs, Troy smashed another grounder deep into left field for a triple. Troy was left stranded when Neal McCoy popped up for the third out.

June 13, 1998 - Athlete Direct, America Online. Troy made a second online appearance this week, and spent a few minutes answering posts. One of his most surprising posts dealt with him in the role of author: "....I am in the process of finalizing an agreement with Taylor Publishing to do another children's book. I am also going to be coming out with a pictorial coffee table book around Thanksgiving." He answered another question about the Sports Illustrated article, this time it was about the truck. "That was not my truck in the Sports Illustrated photo last week. The truck belonged to a gentleman in Dallas that was kind of enough to loan it for SI's use." Another poster wanted to know Troy's assessment of this year's Cowboys draft picks. Troy said, "This year's draft picks looked good in the mini-camps that we've had this summer. It is always difficult to project the quality of the draft prior to putting the pads on in training camp, and even then it usually takes a couple of years to truly determine the success of a particular draft."

June 8, 1998 - Don't forget to pick up a copy of the June 8th Sports Illustrated. It has a great article on the Dallas Cowboys under Coach Gailey, and Troy's excitement over the new regime. Plus some great photos: Troy (wearing jeans, a white t-shirt with the sleeves rolled, and sandals) leaning up against a 1952 Dodge pickup truck for one.

June 7, 1998 - Athlete Direct, America Online. "DCQtrBack" (that's Troy for the uninitiated) made an appearance in both his message board and chat room tonight on America Online. One post he answered asked about his preferences for the NBA playoffs. Troy answered: "I'm really not pulling for either team...I like them both. I would also like to see John Stockton & Karl Malone get a ring, but I have really admired the way Jordan has handled himself & the job that Phil Jackson has done in keeping the team together. It's a toss up for me." Another post asked him for his preference in the NHL playoffs. Troy answered: "I too would now like to see the Red Wings win the cup....now that the Stars are done." Another post he answered dealt with training camp: "I am looking forward to camp in Wichita Falls. It will be drastically different from the atmosphere in Austin, but from what I hear, the facilities are very nice in Wichita Falls." He also answered a question about the scowls on the faces of the guys in the group photo in the June 8th Sports Illustrated. He said, "The photographer did not want any of us smiling for that shot in SI. Just goes to show you that a lot of times the photographer dictates the nature of the picture, or the 'mood' presented." In the chat room, Troy made a comment that sure made me smile! He said, "It's been a loooonnnng time since I've been this enthusiastic about a season to begin."

May 31-June 4 and June 6-10, 1998 - Jay Novacek Football Camp, Texas A&M - Commerce, Commerce, Texas. Former Dallas Cowboy tight end Jay Novacek will hold a youth instructional football camp for boys ages 8-18, featuring instruction from Novacek and members of the Dallas Cowboys. The camp will be held in two sessions. Cowboys scheduled to instruct at the camp include: Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, Eric Bjornson, Mark Tuinei, Bill Bates, Clay Shiver, Tony Tolbert, Chad Hennings and former Cowboy Brock Marion. For more information call 1-800-555-0801. (This camp is for boys 8-18 only. The players do not coach everyday). Thanks, Jeannie B!

June 3, 1998 - Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas. Troy, Cowboys deep snapper Dale Hellestrae, and Cowboys tightend Eric Bjornson, were at Reunion Arena to witness a remarkable playoff victory by the Dallas Stars over the Detroit Red Wings.

June 3, 1998 - Channel 4 in Dallas, our FOX affiliate, aired a brief interview with Troy filmed at his dermatologist's office. Troy talked about how early detection is so important with skin cancer. He will be filming several public service announcements for the American Academy of Dermatology regarding safety in the sun.

June 2, 1998 - Cowboys Center at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. Troy was interviewed on the evening sports casts. The media was focused on the weather here in Texas, because it is unbearably HOT. Troy said that once it hits 100 degrees, it's pretty irrelevant how much over 100 it gets. One of the reporters gathered around his locker mentioned that it hit 110 in Wichita Falls yesterday and Troy grinned. "Yeah I mentioned that to Larry Allen, and he was thrilled."

June 2-4, 1998 - Cowboys Center at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. Third mini-camp. (Mini-camp is not open to the public by the way).

May 26, 1998 - Dallas, Texas. According to Mike Fisher in the May 28 Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Troy ran into injured Dallas Star Joe Nieuwendyk, who gave Troy a ticket to the Tuesday night Stars-Red Wings NHL playoff game. Fisher says that Troy told him with a grin, "I'm a huge basketball fan and a huge hockey fan, once the postseason starts."

May 25, 1998 - Indianapolis, Indiana. Also according to Mike Fisher, Troy, Michael Irvin, and Jason Garrett managed to wrangle tickets to the Monday afternoon Bulls-Pacers NBA playoff game. Troy told Fisher, "the atmosphere was awesome."

May 18, 1998 - ACM 1998 Charity Golf Classic, Tour 18 Golf Course, Flower Mound, Texas. Troy was scheduled to play in this golf tournament benefitting ACM's Bill Boyd Foundation, Chuck Norris' Kick Drugs Out of America, and the St. Phillip's School.

May 14, 1998 - Cowboys Practice Facility at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. Troy spoke on camera to the media today after practice at Valley Ranch regarding his skin cancer. He said:

"It surprised me, I think. Everyone goes through life thinking they are somewhat invincible and that these things aren't going to happen to them, and even after I found out it was malignant, I mean I knew a lot of people who had skin cancer over the years and I'd never paid that much attention to it or given it a second thought until I went back in to have them cut out more of the tissue. And that's when they sat down with me and explained to me the dangers of it and that I needed to be careful, and that's when I became educated on the different types of skin cancer along with the melanoma. It's a disease that's obviously curable if you catch it early enough, but can be devastating if it's not."

Troy said he does not want to be considered a "poster child" for skin cancer but that he does want to help raise awareness. He loves the outdoors and will continue to go to the beach and to play golf, and hopes to shoot a 73 again, but that he will continue to use sunscreen as he has done for the past two years. He uses 45 SPF and recommends it as a minimum for children and seniors.

Troy's doctor said that Troy's mole was dime-sized, and it was just confined to the top layer of skin. It is 100% cured once the tissue has been re-excised. However, once a person has had a malignant melanoma, they are 9 times more likely than the general populace to develop it again, and Troy will have to be monitored closely. Malignant melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer once it has invaded different organs...at that point it is incurable. Troy's stitches have not been removed as had been earlier reported. Troy practiced today and reported minimum pain.

According to a 1996 report from the American Academy of Dermatology, malignant melanoma is now the most commonly occurring cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 29, and is second only to breast cancer in women ages 30 to 34. If you want more information on malignant melanoma, visit the Melanoma Patients' Information Page.

May 12, 1998 - Arlington, Texas. Well now we know why Brett Favre was in town. And John Elway, and Jerry Rice, and even Troy. My hometown was crawling with NFL superstars today and I was totally oblivious to it...LOL...The guys shot a commercial (and posed for print ads) for DirecTV at a local grocery store. In the commercial, customers shop at the NFL store for their favorite players. The guys rode around the store in shopping carts while wearing their uniforms, Brett rode a conveyor belt and had someone call for a price check on him, and all the guys huddled in a meat locker together. The commercial is expected to air nationally in August on network television. The print ads will be featured in newspapers and magazines.

May 11, 1998 - The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas. I was watching my Texas Rangers mop up the Boston RedSox, left the room for a minute, and came back to find the broadcast team concluding an interview at the game with our quarterback and his guest, Green Bay Packer QB Brett Favre. I bet that was quite an interview. Fraternizing with the enemy...I suppose we can forgive this treasonous behavior, Troy :^)

May 8, 1998 - Troy had surgery today to remove a malignant melanoma from his left shoulder blade. The cancer was discovered in its earliest stages, and is considered cured. The surgery was announced on May 12th. For more information, read this Fort Worth Star-Telegram article: Aikman has melanoma removed from shoulder.

May 8, 1998 - This isn't actually a "Troy Sighting," it's a "Troy's Mom Sighting." KPLX radio in Dallas/Fort Worth interviewed moms of celebrities this morning for a Mother's Day special, and Charlyn Aikman was one of the moms interviewed. Mrs. Aikman said she won't see Troy this weekend because he will be out-of-town on business, but she gets to see him all the time, probably a couple times a week. They asked her to describe his personality, and she said he is a hard worker, loyal, a good friend, a caring individual, and "doesn't put on airs. What you see is pretty much what you get." She said he is a great brother and a great son. They asked her what is Troy's favorite food that she cooks for him, and she said it is probably her meatloaf. She said he is a great barbequer, but not real handy in the kitchen.

May 6, 1998 - Cowboys practice facility at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. Mini-camp, day #2. Troy was interviewed on the Channel 8 sports 6:00 broadcast. I think this particular interview was actually filmed following Tuesday's practice rather than Wednesday's practice. Troy was asked by Channel 8's Tony Martinez whether it was accurate to say that he wasn't in favor of the shotgun from early on. Troy shot back, "no it's not accurate, Tony. I've said that about 100 times and I'm not going to go through that again." Dale Hansen, the Channel 8 sports anchor, (no relation to me) grinned into the camera, chuckled and said, "well I'm glad it's Tony that asked him and certainly not me." No kidding, Dale. Tony's voiceover later in the story said that Aikman's reaction was indicative of him not wanting to be considered the decision maker of the offense. Umm, sorry Tony. I think Troy's reaction was indicative of him being sick and tired of you guys asking him how he feels about the shotgun formation.

Hey world: TROY AIKMAN DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SHOTGUN FORMATION!!!

May 5-7, 1998 - Cowboys practice facility at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. Second mini-camp.

May 1998 - Cowboys practice facility at Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas. Every Tuesday and Thursday in May, the Cowboys will hold organized workouts for veteran players.

May 3, 1998 Second round of the Roger Staubach FIRSTPLUS FINANCIAL Celebrity Invitational, Prestonwood Country Club, Dallas, Texas. For the final round, Troy was paired with Jim McMahon and Steve Spurrier; Emmitt Smith was paired with comedian Tom Dreesen and Pierre LaRouche; Bill Bates was paired with Scooter McGruder and Thomas Henderson; and Daryl Johnston was paired with Richie Cunningham. The second round of the tournament was also broadcast on Sunday by FOX Sports Net. Dan Marino showed up for the second day of the tourney, but didn't turn in a score card because he missed Saturday's round due to Dolphins mini-camp. He shot an 80 on Sunday. Our guys finished the tournament as follows (info from the Dallas Morning News). First I list the player, their total score for the tournament, how many shots over par they were for the tourney, their scores each day, and how much of the prize money they received:

  Troy Aikman: 171 (29 over)   87-84   $844
  Bill Bates: 167 (25 over)   87-80   $898
  Emmitt Smith: 184 (40 over)  88-94   $784
  Daryl Johnston: 189 (47 over)  96-93   $748
  Richie Cunningham: 193 (51 over)   103-90   $730

May 2, 1998 - First round of the Roger Staubach FIRSTPLUS FINANCIAL Celebrity Invitational, Prestonwood Country Club, Dallas, Texas. Troy was at 16 over par for the day heading to the 17th tee. He didn't appear to like his shot off the tee at first, but it hit the green solidly a few feet from the hole and stuck, eliciting a nice big grin from our QB. His putt went in for a birdie...his only one for the day. That put him at 15 over par heading to the 18th. Troy finished the day at 87, 16 over par. He shot a 46 on the front nine and a 41 on the back nine. Bill Bates finished the day at 87, 16 over par. He shot a 47 on the front nine and a 40 on the back nine. Emmitt Smith finished the day at 88, 17 over par. He shot a 45 on the front nine and a 43 on the back nine. Daryl Johnston finished the day at 96, 25 over par. He shot a 52 on the front nine and a 44 on the back nine. Richie Cunningham finished the day at 103, 32 over par. The tournament was broadcast by FOX Sports Net.

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