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Troy Aikman pens heartfelt tribute to Jimmy Johnson over Hall nod

Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 1/13/20

Troy Aikman was overcome with emotion on Sunday upon learning that his former coach, Jimmy Johnson, will be part of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, and the legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback also shared an emotional tribute later on social media.

Much like former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher experienced on Saturday, Johnson learned of his Canton nod on live television. The two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the Cowboys unsurprisingly was left overwhelmed by the news, tearing up during FOX’s coverage of the Packers-Seahawks divisional-round game.

Incredible moment.

Legendary @dallascowboys coach @JimmyJohnson finds out live on TV he is the newest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/GK3jlSlWRz
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) January 13, 2020

During the emotional scene on the set, FOX cut away to Aikman, who also teared up while reacting to the news while serving as color analyst for the network’s coverage of the Seahawks-Packers tilt.

Troy Aikman teared up. pic.twitter.com/XB3VL8Q5TG
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 13, 2020

Later Sunday night, Aikman posted a heartfelt tribute to Johnson on Instagram, in which he notes he has known Johnson for 35 years.

View this post on Instagram

My relationship w Jimmy Johnson spans over 35 years. He was the first to recruit me out of Henryetta High School when I was 17 while he was the head coach at Oklahoma State. Two years later when I was transferring from Oklahoma, he recruited me to the University of Miami. I chose UCLA. After turning him down twice, the Dallas Cowboys chose me as the #1 overall draft pick in 1989. We had a rough start, went through some difficult times, had stretches when we didn’t speak. What I’ve learned though in life is we remember those who make us better. Jimmy made me better, but more importantly, he made the Dallas Cowboys better. He was the architect of our 1990’s dynasty and while as our leader and coach, he should have been the first to be enshrined, I am so grateful he will have his rightful place in the @profootballhof – congratulations Coach! You’re gonna look good in gold! #howboutthemcowboys

A post shared by Troy (@troyaikman) on Jan 13, 2020 at 12:56am PST

Aikman notes in his post how Johnson was the “architect” of the Cowboys dynasty that won Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993. Further, Aikman added that Johnson “should have been the first to be enshrined” from that Cowboys era.

“I am so grateful he will have his rightful place in the [Pro Football Hall of Fame],” Aikman wrote, “congratulations Coach! You’re gonna look good in gold!”

This article first appeared on Sportress of Blogitude and was syndicated with permission.

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