The decade of the 1990’s were a significant time in my life. I was maturing in a way to become able to form my own opinions, make decisions for myself, etc. Basically, I was growing from a child into a teenager. However, despite the many memories I encountered during this decade, and the many different things I saw or experienced, the image that stands out in my mind more vibrant than the rest is a big blue star. That big blue star is none other than the star of the Dallas Cowboys. Following in my father’s footsteps, I quickly became a big Cowboys fan, although my first memories of them weren’t the greatest (1-15 in 1989, 7-9 in 1990). However, at about the same time I was becoming not only a Cowboys fan, but a sports fan, the Cowboys were also doing some changing. To start the 1990 season, they had a third year receiver, a second year quarterback, and a rookie running back. Five years later these three would each have three Super Bowl rings on their fingers. This trio would later become known as “The Triplets”, and provide me with more memories in one decade than could be provided by puberty, school, friends, or whatever else one encounters in a childhood.
Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. They each hold a special place in my heart. I consider myself so lucky to be able to grow up watching these three win game after game, and turn a struggling franchise into “America’s Team”. Three superstars on the field together is truly a rarity, and in my opinion, can never happen again. With the ego driven stars of today and the differences in salaries as compared to back then, it is now almost impossible to duplicate. There is no way three players of that caliber would even be able to fit under one salary cap together. That is why the three of them together are so special. And that is why on September 19, 2005 on Monday Night Football, at Texas Stadium, against the Cowboys’ most hated opponent, the three of them will be put in football immortality together. “The Triplets” will be inducted onto the Ring of Honor, a feat more rare, and a club more exclusive than the Football Hall of Fame itself. The Ring of Honor has been around since 1960 and only has 14 current members, that is how exclusive a club it really is. There are GREAT players not on the Ring of Honor.
There are not three people more deserving of the honor, either. Aikman hold’s the franchise record for most completions (2,898), passing yards (32,942) and passing touchdowns (165). That’s playing on a team that had one Roger Staubach as your predecessor. Emmitt Smith, who followed in the footsteps of Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker, is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Irvin, despite off-field problems and injuries, managed to end his career as the club’s all-time leading receiver with 750 receptions for 11,904 yards. In my opinion, each of them is in the top 5 all-time at their respected position.
They were great as individuals, but even better at being teammates. All through their press conference announcing this wonderful event, they kept repeating the fact that they were there only because of eachother, and because of their teammates. They all described how they put egos aside, became friends, enjoyed eachothers successes, and thus enjoyed winning together. Classiness like that is hard to come by in today’s sports world, its something we should cherish when we see it.
I will be there that night in the stands, crying tears of joy and sadness. I cried when Troy retired, I cried when Irvin took the career ending hit in Philly, I cried when Emmitt broke the career rushing record and hugged Moose Johnston, and I’ll cry when they go onto The Ring together. My parents’ generation had Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays; I had Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. These are my sports heroes. It is fitting they accept this honor together, as teammates.
Troy Aikman said it best when asked about what he thought about going to The Ring with Emmitt and Michael when he said,”That’s the way it should be.”