He wants to play. End of conversation. Jerry had no other option, other than invite Aikman back for another season. But with legitimate concerns about the obvious health issues for Aikman, along with juggling what was best for the future of the franchise, Jones had to make a call that, without question, was more personally difficult than facing Landry that late afternoon day in 1989 on an Austin golf course. Business is one thing.
Friendship is another.
Business won out on Wednesday, although it wasn't the business of money. Money was not the issue here. Jerry made a football decision and a health-risk decision. That doesn't diminish the mutual respect and the friendship that had to be overcome before Jones could send this one name to waiver-wire hell. As Aikman said in a conference-call chat with Valley Ranch media Wednesday night, he could have made it very easy on Jones by simply retiring.