Passing The Torch Staubach Keeps Aikman Level-Headed

Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, bonded by the high-profile life of Cowboys quarterback idols a generation apart, have developed an annual tradition. During the bye week before the Cowboys open the playoffs, Dallas heroes past and present get together.

A few weeks ago, Staubach had Aikman over for dinner. Staubach, as usual, urged Aikman to keep things in perspective, to look at the big picture, to stay mentally strong. In this year’s meeting he also urged him to understand Barry Switzer’s way may be different and not quite as disciplined as Jimmy Johnson’s but has been successful and, in the end, it always comes down to the players.

Aikman, knowing Staubach went through the same pressurized existence in his years as America’s quarterback, finds comfort knowing there’s someone who can relate to Super Bowl-or-nothing demands in Dallas. This is a club with only two members who have met the challenge: Aikman and Staubach.

“We have a great relationship, a very good friendship,” Aikman said. “He’s been really helpful to me because it’s hard for people to really understand what it’s like. He certainly does. There’s a lot of times if I get frustrated with things, I will call him. He’s such a level-headed guy and such a credible guy. As far as I’m concerned, he is the Dallas Cowboys.”

Staubach, president of the Staubach Company, a Dallas real-estate firm, will be 54 on Feb. 4. Aikman turns 30 on Nov. 21. “I guess I could be his dad,” Staubach said.

They have so much in common, including two Super Bowl victories apiece. When Aikman, the No. 1 pick in the 1989 draft, was signed by the Cowboys, he was sitting in Jerry Jones’ office when a television interview with Staubach aired. “He was extremely complimentary toward me,” Aikman said. “That always meant a lot to me.”

Receiving the Staubach endorsement goes a long way in Dallas. Staubach always will be the Cowboys’ No. 1 super hero. Aikman is 1A. Staubach started four Super Bowls in the ‘70s, was 2-2, and with a little luck could have been 4-0 if the Cowboys were able to pull out those classic games with the Steelers.

Danny White took over in 1980 after concussions forced Staubach to retire prematurely. White brought the Cowboys to three straight NFC title games in the first three years of the post-Staubach era. But the Cowboys lost all three. He could never stand up to the comparisons, unfair as they might have been.

By the time Aikman came along, the Cowboys had bottomed out. But there was a lot of Staubach in Aikman: quiet leader, incredible competitor, intense on the field and the ability to generate confidence.

“If I came to the Cowboys and Aikman was here, I would probably get traded to New Orleans,” Staubach said. “I think he has replaced me with the Cowboys fans. I think he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback right now. He’s replaced me in the hearts and minds of my own family. My kids love him. My wife thinks he’s great. Troy is such a good guy.”

Staubach said then-Cowboys assistant Dan Reeves became his confidante in the ‘70s. But there was no former Cowboys quarterback to lean on. “I put myself in Troy’s shoes and I wish I had somebody talk to me,” he said. “If I can impart something he appreciates, I respect him for listening to some of it.”

Staubach has been there for Aikman. Off-the-field pressures on Aikman are much more intense than Staubach experienced. There’s a lot more money at stake, for one thing.

Certainly, both are recognizable, but the fact Staubach was married with children and Aikman is single and eligible makes his situation different. “He’s got fandom that spreads about amongst everyone,” Staubach said. “He carries himself very well.”

Staubach looks at Aikman and virtually sees himself. “He’s really not satisfied with success. He appreciates it, but continues to work at it,” Staubach said. “I told him my confidence was always at a high level because I was never satisfied. Each season was more of a challenge. You can fall back or you can be Michael Jordan and give 200%. Aikman has the same type mentality. He continues to try and get better even with all the success he’s had.”

Staubach had a few more years left in him when he retired. And although getting close to Aikman cannot serve to give him back those one or two seasons, he has enjoyed the team’s success.

“I think this has been exciting for Roger,” Aikman said. “He has a lot of fond memories come back watching us play.”

Staubach and Aikman talk frequently. They play in charity basketball games. Staubach let Aikman use his lake-front house in south Texas. Recently, Staubach’s wife auctioned off a dinner with Aikman at the Staubach house and it brought in a lot of money for charity.

“The thing that has impressed me the most about Roger is that a lot of former players are real insecure in their own accomplishments and they are afraid they will be forgotten,” Aikman said. “Roger has never been that way. Obviously, no one will ever forget him. He wants us to win the Super Bowl as badly as we do.”

Their approach to the game is very similar. “I see the commitment and the desire,” Staubach said. “We are different players physically. I wish I could throw the ball like he can. I threw it well, but he is extra special. From the mental side, we are both somewhat quiet leaders. Our team believes we can make the play when we have to. I think he can do anything. If they needed him to throw 60 times a game, he would throw for 600 yards.”

Staubach, who will be at Sun Devil Stadium Sunday as a former Super Bowl MVP, stayed close to the Cowboys even after Tom Landry was fired. He has served as honorary captain for championship games. He has been supportive of Jones and the new regime. And especially supportive of Aikman.

“We all have a tendency to get wrapped up in our own world and feel what we are going through is unique from what anybody else has ever gone through,” Aikman said. “It’s reassuring to me to know as great as Roger Staubach was, things weren’t always all that great for him.”

The two Super Bowl losses to Pittsburgh still bug Staubach. Aikman can do Staubach and a bunch of former Cowboys a big favor with some payback to the Steelers nearly 20 years later.