Laufenberg Keeps Ties to Aikman

They were the Dallas Cowboys quarterback odd couple when they roomed together: the rag-armed journeyman who’s quick with the quips and the strong-armed future star who talks only in cliches.

The difference in their personalities didn’t stop former Crespi High standout Babe Laufenberg and Troy Aikman from becoming good friends when they played with the Dallas Cowboys in 1989-90.

“When I came here, he was a rookie having to play through some tough times,” said Laufenberg, who made a career out of going through tough times.

Laufenberg has remained friends with Aikman even though he’s now a broadcaster in Dallas.

They got together for breakfast every Monday morning to review the previous day’s game and they had dinner Wednesday night as the Cowboys prepared for Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills.

“He’s a guy who played quarterback and really has a good view on things. I really trust his opinion. He’s a good sounding board,” Aikman said.

Laufenberg can’t resist making a few jokes about their relationship.

“I don’t want to hold myself out as a guru, but I’ll tell you I made him what he is. The Cowboys made a mistake drafting him and I straightened him out,” Laufenberg said jokingly.

Aikman is such a low-key type that it seems surprising that he and Laufenberg hit it off so well. But Laufenberg insists that in private, Aikman isn’t as bland as the personality he presents in public.

“He’s actually a funny guy. People say he’s boring and his public image is guarded. He doesn’t let that other side of him come out,” he said.

Laufenberg added that the mature image Aikman projects at 26 is the real Aikman.

“I hate to get philosophical about it, but I think it starts with the person at the core. He’s a very good guy, a very loyal person. Even when all this stuff was coming down on him the first couple of years and it wasn’t all his fault, he was taking the blame. He could have easily pointed to other things that were happening at the time,” he said.

Laufenberg said the one thing Aikman had to learn was not to expect to do too much by himself. He says he won’t play golf with Aikman because he gets mad at himself after five or six holes and is ready to quit. “Patience is not his strong suit,” Laufenberg said.

“Golf wasn’t made for his temperament. You can’t get down on yourself for every mistake you make as a quarterback. He doesn’t dwell on that (mistakes) now and moves on to the next play,” Laufenberg said.

The first player selected in the 1989 draft out of UCLA, Aikman was injured in each of his first three seasons and critics were suggesting he’d never live up to his potential. This is the first year he has stayed healthy all season.

Laufenberg said success won’t spoil Aikman. “He’ll probably do Lettermen and a few things like that, but I guarantee you he’ll be in the weight room in March,” Laufenberg said.