DALLAS — On Jan. 2, 1994, with the NFC East and ultimately home-field advantage in the playoffs on the line, former quarterback Troy Aikman saw running back Emmitt Smith carry 32 times for 168 yards and catch 10 passes for 61 yards in a touchdown, all with a separated shoulder than made a crackling noise in his chest every time he was hit and driven into the carpet-covered concrete of Giants Stadium.
The Cowboys needed a hero, and Smith was that, leading Dallas to a 16-13 overtime win that set up their repeat Super Bowl championship at the end of the month.
Believe it or not, that's not the most heroic act Aikman has ever witnessed. In fact, Aikman claims each and every year he has co-chaired the Children's Cancer Fund annual gala, he's seen kids tougher than Smith on that January day.
"I would tell you that we, as athletes, should be embarrassed when talked about being courageous and being tough and these kids embody that in so many ways," Aikman said. "So, I talk often about we use the words heroes and all those types of words, and it's oftentimes misplaced. I think as it relates to these kids they've been dealt a tough hand. For them and really the parents as well, to be as tough as they are and as courageous as they are and as positive and optimistic, we can all learn a lesson from that. I'm just hopeful that we can save all of them."
Children's Cancer Fund has endeavored to save as many pediatric oncology patients since its 1982 inception. Over $10 million has been awarded in grants as the organization, "seeks to partially relieve the burden of obtaining and administering funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment at Children’s Health," according to a statement. The funds are also applied to nationally accredited programs that investigate the treatment of childhood cancer.
In 1995, at the height of Aikman's career, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, who had been an honorary co-chair since the then-luncheon's start in 1988, asked the eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback to co-chair the event with him. Even though Aikman didn't have his two daughters yet, let alone was married, the Super Bowl champion was hooked and wanted to stay a part of the gala until the CCF won final victory over childhood cancer.
"I said as long as they keep asking me to be a part of it, I'll come," said Aikman. "They keep asking me and I keep coming. These kids are amazing. It truly is one of the great events of the year. And I'm really hopeful each year that it will be the last year that I have to come and we'll find a cure. Unfortunately that hasn't happened."
There have been tremendous milestones the CCF has passed in its 31 years of throwing a fashion show and fundraiser in the midst of a luncheon, which switched to a gala in 2016. For example, in 2018, it was the first year the organization did not have to run an in memoriam slideshow, meaning that the survival rate of former patients was increasing.
"I wish I could bottle that up and sell it because it's pretty amazing stuff, and I run into a bunch of kids who have been here in other years and they're doing well," Aikman said. "And unfortunately there's other kids who haven't done so well. But it's really hard stuff. It's real life. I can't fathom it. I haven't had to deal with it. I hope I never do. But I'm here to help those who are and hope somehow by me being here and others that we can make a difference."
It has been 19 years since Aikman last played for the Cowboys, but he is still recognizable to the kids for his exemplary work as a member of the NFL on FOX's A-team covering NFL games with play-by-play Joe Buck.
"I think they probably know that I played, but they know that I'm on television," Aikman remarked. "So, there some relevance in that aspect. Quite honestly it's a little bit like how I viewed Don Meredith. I knew he played. I never saw him play, but I knew he was a broadcaster. So, I enjoyed him from that regard. So, I think from that regard a lot of these kids are kind of the same way for me."
Aikman is hoping someday he can sing Dandy Don's famous rendition of "Turn Out the Lights" on childhood cancer. For now, the challenge continues.