Classic SI Photos of Troy Aikman

One of the most recognizable faces in Cowboys lore, Troy Aikman quarterbacked Dallas to three Super Bowl championships. He also earned six Pro Bowl nods and Super Bowl XXVII MVP honors, and trails only Tony Romo for most passing touchdowns and yards in Cowboys history. As the Hall of Fame quarterback celebrates his 50th birthday on Nov. 21, 2016, we present these classic SI photos of Troy Aikman through the years.

Classic SI Photos of Troy Aikman

John Iacono

Troy Aikman calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the Oklahoma Sooners game against the Texas Longhorns on Oct. 12, 1985 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Andy Hayt

Troy Aikman looks to pass during the UCLA Bruins game against the USC Trojans on Nov. 19, 1988 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.

Peter Read Miller

Troy Aikman appears on the cover of the Aug. 21, 1989 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Peter Read Miller

Troy Aikman appears on the cover of the Aug. 27, 1990 issue of Sports Illustrated.

John Iacono

Troy Aikman speaks during a press conference on Jan. 26, 1993 prior to Super Bowl XXVII between the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.

Peter Read Miller

Troy Aikman hurdles over James Williams during Super Bowl XXVII between the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills on Jan. 31, 1993 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.

John Biever

Troy Aikman appears on the cover of the Feb. 8, 1989 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Steve Young, sports agent Leigh Steinberg, and Troy Aikman relax on Waikiki Beach during Pro Bowl weekend on Feb. 6, 1993 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

John Biever

Troy Aikman appears on the cover of the 1993 Year in Pictures issue of Sports Illustrated.

John Iacono

Troy Aikman passes during the Dallas Cowboys game against the New York Giants on Jan. 2, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

John Iacono

Troy Aikman speaks to the press on Jan. 28, 1994 prior to Super Bowl XXVIII between the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

John Iacono

Troy Aikman holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy following the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl XXVIII victory over the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 30, 1994 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Peter Read Miller

Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and Barry Switzer appear on the cover of the Aug. 1, 1994 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Al Tielemans

Troy Aikman passes during the Dallas Cowboys game against the Phoenix Cardinals on Oct. 9, 1994 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.

John Biever; Richard Mackson

Steve Young and Troy Aikman appear on the cover of the Jan. 16, 1995 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Brad Mangin

Troy Aikman slowly gets up after taking a hit during the NFC Championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 15, 1995 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Troy Aikman and Steve Young pose during a photo shoot on April 21, 1995 in Orlando, Fla.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Troy Aikman and Steve Young pose during a photo shoot on April 21, 1995 in Orlando, Fla.

Peter Read Miller

Troy Aikman poses during a photo shoot on Nov. 23, 1995 in Dallas, Texas.

John Iacono

Troy Aikman speaks to the press on Jan. 23, 1996 prior to Super Bowl XXX between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

John Iacono

Troy Aikman speaks during a press conference on Jan. 24, 1996 prior to Super Bowl XXX between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

John W. McDonough

Troy Aikman passes during Super Bowl XXX between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 28, 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

John W. McDonough

Troy Aikman rushes during the Dallas Cowboys game against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 10, 1996 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

V.J. Lovero

Troy Aikman passes to Tony Gonzalez, a first round draft candidate out of Cal, as Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer watches on March 28, 1997 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Darren Woodson, Nate Newton, Troy Aikman, Michael Irwin and Emmitt Smith pose together on May 28, 1998 in Dallas, Texas.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Troy Aikman poses during a photo shoot on May 28, 1998 in Dallas, Texas.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Troy Aikman poses during a photo shoot on May 28, 1998 in Dallas, Texas.

Damian Strohmeyer

Troy Aikman rushes during the Dallas Cowboys game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 3, 1999 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.

Damian Strohmeyer

Troy Aikman passes during the Dallas Cowboys game against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 31, 1999 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

Al Tielemans

Troy Aikman looks on before Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 5, 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Fred Vuich

Fox Sports announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman sit together during the telecast of the NFC Championship game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 24, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Fred Vuich

Fox Sports announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman talk during the telecast of the NFC Championship game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 24, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.