THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 28, 1995 TAG: 9506280603
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
Troy Aikman got a taste Tuesday of what life was like before he became a superstar quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and he drank deeply.
The occasion was his one-day appearance at Jimmye Laycock's football camp at William and Mary. Aikman arrived in time to work with the quarterbacks in all age groups and to toss a few short spirals to kids who dream of becoming the new Michael Irvin or Emmitt Smith.
``I'm not a Dallas fan; in fact, I really like the Redskins,'' said camper Arnie Powell, who quarterbacked Deep Creek High School to a 13-0 record before the Braves lost to Patrick Henry-Ashland in the state final last season. ``But I liked talking to Troy Aikman.''
And Aikman enjoyed talking with Powell. On several occasions he complimented Powell on the strength of his arm and the accuracy of his deep tosses. He even described Powell's five-step drop as ``perfect.''
After tutoring another camper on his throwing motion, Aikman cautioned, ``Now, don't watch the way I do it and try to imitate me, because I usually make the same mistake you just did.''
The kid smiled and nodded his head.
``I think I enjoy it more than they do,'' Aikman said later. ``I really have a good time. I work a lot of camps in Texas, but this is the first one outside of Texas I've worked this summer.
``I miss out on a lot of different opportunities I had when I was younger. Before I joined Dallas, I used to umpire Little League games and go watch kids play. I'm unable to do that now. So coming to these camps replaces that.''
At one point, Aikman stood in the middle of a large circle of boys. It was Troy talking and the kids listening - just as the Cowboys' QB wanted it.
``Everybody has dreams in life, and goals and ambitions and things they want to do,'' he replied when asked what he said. ``One of the great things about this country is that not only do you have the ability to dream, you have the power to pursue those dreams. Too many times today, success is measured by achievement alone, rather than the striving to achieve.''
Aikman addressed the mundane issues that arise whenever a pro football star comes to a place that sees him only through a television camera lens. He said that despite numerous free-agent losses this offseason, he feels that the Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers are the teams to beat in the NFC.
He also conceded that the Cowboys won't be as talented this year as last season, and that they weren't as talented - or as committed to success - last season as they were the year before.
He agreed that second-year coach Barry Switzer has given evidence that he is taking the job more seriously this season. That's good, he said, because, ``I think our football team needs a little bit of that. We were so accustomed to a head coach who was a dominating figure within the organization, I think the players are looking for that.''
Perhaps reflecting on a schedule that placed him in New York on Monday, then Williamsburg for a few hours Tuesday before an afternoon flight to another engagement in another city, the 28-year-old Oklahoman admitted that his life was ``normal'' under only the most flexible of definitions.
``For the consensus of people my life is much different, and I'm still not completely comfortable with it and I think that early on in my career, it was difficult,'' he said. ``But I've learned to accept it and go on. There's good things that go with that and negative things that go with that.
``I've always tried to look at the big picture. Football, when you look at the broad scope of things, is really pretty irrelevant. When I'm done playing, it'll be over with. I'll go on and be long forgotten. I keep that in perspective. It's not so much me, it's the team and the success and the people before me. After I'm gone, there'll be someone else they'll be cheering for - and I accept that very easily.''
Someone asked if he had a message for the children of America. Aikman stared into the platoon of cameras staring back at him and spoke from the heart.
``If I was to be raising children right now, I'd be a little bit concerned about some of the things that kids are exposed to at such young ages these days,'' he began. ``I don't really like the term `role model,' because I think (it) has been completely misused. I think it's unfortunate that people want to say that athletes and entertainers and celebrities are role models. I really don't feel that's the case.
``When I was a kid, there were a lot of athletes I looked up to and admired. But I admired them for what they did athletically. I admired their athletic skills. I didn't know them as people and I never was led to believe that I did know them as people.
``But I think through the media, there's a vehicle that's been set that allows people to think they actually know Michael Jordan and they know everything about him and he's their best friend. And they don't know him. And they don't know me. And they don't know any of the other players.
``Kids need to know the difference between right and wrong. When someone they look up to does something wrong, they need to recognize that just because they did it doesn't make it OK. And I think parents, coaches, teachers, all people who are associated with these kids on a daily basis, need to take responsibility for these kids and teach them something.''
Aikman said that although he is a spokesman for numerous major corporations, he's never done anything to camouflage what he's really like.
``I chew tobacco, and I don't hide that from anybody,'' he explained. ``I've received a lot of fan mail over the years from parents saying, `You shouldn't do that because kids see that and they think it's OK for them to do that.' It's their responsibility to tell these kids the dangers of doing it. I do it and I don't hide it.
``I don't make decisions on how the public is going to perceive me. I try to make my decisions based on what I feel is right and what's right in my heart, and then I live with those decisions.''
ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman tutored tomorrow's football
heroes Tuesday at Jimmye Laycock's camp. ``I think I enjoy it more
than they do,'' he said.
by CNB