Troy Aikman

“As the equipment has gotten better - and it's gotten better in an attempt to try to protect the player more - then the equipment becomes used more as a weapon.”

“As a quarterback, I appreciated the passer rating whether you threw the ball a majority of the time or if you didn't throw it as much. You were judged on a level playing field, and I thought teams should be ranked similarly.”

“Broadcasting keeps you relevant.”

“I handled myself as a quarterback in the manner I thought necessary.”

“Because the hash marks are narrower in the pros, the ball's always closer to the middle of the field. So if you're a defensive back, you can wait a lot longer before committing to a certain part of the field.”

“I didn't know any hockey fans in Dallas.”

“The only way you're gonna eliminate helmet-to-helmet contact is to take the helmets off. Go back to leather helmets. I mean, I think a defensive player would be much less inclined to lead with his head if he had no protection.”

“It's not always statistics that determine the best player, especially the quarterback.”

“I'm happy to do some endorsements if I believe in the product. You're only in this game a short time, and you want to collect the money while you can.”

“What I am is a direct result of how I was raised.”

“The one thing disappointing I had coming out of college was not playing in the Rose Bowl.”

“I've said for many, many years, as long as I can ever remember, when I'm asked, 'Hey, what do you look for first in a quarterback?' The first thing I look for is accuracy, because the rest of it doesn't matter.”

“I was brought up not to brag. I've always disliked people who do.”

“I just think Cam Newton is a guy who doesn't get overwhelmed by the moment. He seems to thrive in the spotlight.”

“I've lived in Texas now longer than anywhere and then California and then Oklahoma, but yet Oklahoma is what I consider home.”

“Some coaches don't want their players to be the stars. They want their systems to be the stars.”

“As a kid, I used to practice my signature, working on the way I wanted to sign my autograph.”

“I don't try to please anybody. I try to win.”

“My 21st birthday was probably the worst day of my life.”

“I'm a drop-back passer, and those seldom win Heismans.”