After a legendary career with the Dallas Cowboys, quarterback Troy Aikman made the seamless transition to broadcasting. Immediately providing deep and insightful coverage, he has become a mainstay of the NFL product over the years, with his combination of expertise and quick wit becoming a major highlight in the broadcasting booth.
However, one thing that has separated Aikman from virtually every other commentator across the league is his propensity for anecdotes and personal tidbits. More than two decades since his retirement, the three-time Super Bowl champion can be unfiltered with his thought process, leading to a more entertaining product overall.
That was on full display during a Monday Night Football clash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions, when the legendary quarterback made a shocking admission.
Troy Aikman Reveals Unorthodox Fear Live on Air
An exceptional athlete coming out of college, Aikman was the recipient of the Davey O’Brien Award winner in his final year with UCLA, which helped him get selected No. 1 overall in the 1989 NFL Draft.
He became the final piece of the puzzle for a Cowboys team that would go on to have a dynastic run in the 1990s. Spearheading three Super Bowls for America’s Team, he even won a Super Bowl MVP and was named to six Pro Bowls.
A member of the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame, his transition to a color commentator role was almost immediate, starting with a gig on NFL on Fox that lasted 20 years, beginning in 2001.
READ MORE: Latest 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Since 2022, though, his role has shifted, as he’s become the main voice on Monday Night Football. So, it was the duo of Aikman and Joe Buck, the longest tenured announcer pairing in NFL history, who were on the call when the Bucs faced the Lions.
During the fourth quarter, though, Aikman had a shocking admission to make about the ongoings in his life currently.
“I pulled my hamstring on a treadmill two years ago, and I haven’t gotten back on one since,” Aikman said with a grin to Buck. “I’m scared to try to even open it up.”
Fans appreciated his candor on X, writing, “I don’t why I just instanstly starting laughing. No shade because I hate treadmills, it was just the way he said it.”
Troy Aikman said he pulled a hamstring on the treadmill and is scared to go back on it now. I don’t know why I just instantly started laughing. No shade because I hate treadmills, it was just the way he said it.
— Sherri (@buckeyegirl25) October 21, 2025
Aikman was talking about players who can quickly come back from hamstring injuries, like star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka just did for Bucs. Aikman said that after he pulled his hamstring, he wasn’t right for “about 18 months.”
Buck pointed out that Aikman traded out the treadmill for hot yoga after his injury.
The comment was hilarious from the Dallas Cowboys legend. Notorious for playing through injuries like a true warrior, the irony was hard to miss from one of the best in the game.
The Lions ultimately defeated the Buccaneers, 24-9, on Monday night.
