Troy Aikman has another accoldate to add to his legacy. The former Buins quarterback is set to have his number retired when UCLA hosts Stanford on Friday, Nov. 28, the school's athletic director Dan Guerrero announced Saturday.
"I'd like to say thank you to Chancellor Block, Dan Guerrero, Coach Mora and all of the great UCLA fans for this tremendous honor," Aikman said. "UCLA is a special place to me. Having my number eight UCLA jersey retired is something I will forever cherish, and this is a very special moment for me and my family."
Aikman only played two seasons in Westwood, completing nearly 65 percent of his passes for 5,298 yards and 41 touchdowns. He will become just the ninth football player to have his number retired by UCLA.
Post induction, Aikman and Baltimore Ravens great Johnathan Ogden will be the only two former Bruins to have their numbers retired and be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where Aikman was inducted in 2006 and Ogden in 2013.
"Troy is the embodiment of what it means to be a Bruin," Guerrero said. "He was a leader both on and off the field at UCLA and with the Dallas Cowboys while setting records and establishing a lofty standard of excellence for both teams. Most admirably, and importantly, he has been an inspiration to countless people across all walks of life with the extensive work he has done in the community and with his pursuit, and ultimate completion, of a UCLA degree. We cannot think of a person more deserving of this tremendous honor than Troy."
Aikman still very much is involved with UCLA and its athletic programs. The former Dallas Cowboy "has endowed a grant-in-aid in the sport of football" and only recently graduated from the university. He received a degree in sociology back in 2009.
Bruins fans in attendance against Stanford will be in for a special treat.
