1989: Troy Aikman, quarterback, drafted out of UCLA by the Dallas Cowboys. When the Cowboys selected Aikman, the team faced a massive rebuilding project. He became the first rookie quarterback to start a season opener for Dallas since Roger Staubach in 1969. That first year under Aikman, the Cowboys were a league-worst 1-15, but he was a fast learner. After only 52 games he'd passed for 10,000 yards. During the 1990s, he turned in the most successful decade-long performance of any QB in history, guiding Dallas to 90 wins in 94 starts and three Super Bowl championships. Today Aikman is the lead analyst on Fox game telecasts and is co-owner of a NASCAR race team with Staubach.
PHOTO: ©Pro Football Hall of Fame
