Troy Aikman built a Hall of Fame career on leadership and loyalty, and the modern college football landscape just tested both. The $65 million former Dallas Cowboys quarterback torched NIL this week after a personal experience left him feeling burned.

Aikman wrote a check to help UCLA land a player, only to see that same player disappear without a thank-you, and decided he’s done funding athletes who treat boosters like disposable wallets.

Aikman sat down with Sports Media with Richard Deitsch this week. He bankrolled a UCLA athlete through NIL, never met the kid, and got nothing when the player transferred after one season. “I gave money to a kid, I won’t mention who,” Aikman said, per Awful Announcing. “I’ve done it one time at UCLA, never met the young man. He was there a yea

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