Troy Aikman’s name is forever etched in NFL lore. Three Super Bowls, a Hall of Fame career, countless Monday night broadcasts—the resume is as solid as it gets. But ask him what he loves most, and the answer is not from the football field or the press box. It’s his family. He is proud of them, loving them in ways that matter. His commitment to his blood speaks louder than anything he did under the bright lights of Dallas. One look at his Instagram account will reveal their strong bond, celebrating special days with his daughters and going on trips together.
That love extends beyond his immediate family. His bond with his siblings runs deep—so much so that it might even give Patrick Mahomes, known for his affection for younger brother Jackson and sister Mia, some serious competition. Back in April 1995, when the Cowboys visited Oklahoma City to honor first responders at the bombing site, no one knew that Aikman’s sister, Tammy Aikman Powell, was a nurse at St. Anthony Hospital. The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum revealed this connection in a February Instagram post this year.
And on Saturday, May 10, Aikman proudly shared another family milestone via Instagram: the graduation of his nephew, Reid Powell, from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. “Couldn’t be more proud of my nephew Reid for graduating from OU Law,” Aikman wrote in his Instagram Story. “We finally have a lawyer in the family—which means I might actually start saving money on legal fees. Congrats, counselor!”
Credits: Social media, taken from Instagram @Reid Powell
While Reid chose a different path than the family’s gridiron legacy, he’s now in a position to be a real asset—especially with his uncle currently in the middle of a legal battle involving another NFL star. Back in 2009, Aikman once shared that one of his nephews played running back with Tre Newton in Pop Warner. But Reid’s ambitions veered toward the courtroom, not the end zone—and Aikman couldn’t be prouder.
It’s good timing, too. Aikman’s legal bills may be piling up as he continues a branding battle that’s gone on for nearly a year.
Troy Aikman vs Lamar Jackson – A fight for the number 8 legacy!
Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens QB, has built an entire personal brand around the number 8. From his Louisville days to his NFL superstardom, the number has followed him like a trademarked shadow. Literally. Jackson owns several trademarks, including Era 8, You 8 Yet?, and Era 8 by Lamar Jackson—all tied to merchandise and promotional campaigns.
Enter Aikman. Through his company, FL101, he attempted to trademark the word “EIGHT” for use on a range of products, including apparel, bags, and even beer. But the move ran into a legal roadblock in July 2024, when Jackson’s attorneys filed an appeal against the trademark.
Aikman responded with a lighthearted tweet at the time: “Hey Lamar – looks like a worthy conversation over a couple cold EIGHT beers! Maybe Steve Young can arbitrate??” But Jackson’s team isn’t playing games. Their argument? The use of “EIGHT” on merchandise could confuse fans, potentially creating a false association between Aikman’s products and Jackson’s established brand.
Interestingly, FL101 already owns nine trademarks that incorporate the term “EIGHT.” But Jackson is only challenging the application as it relates to bags and apparel—the cornerstone categories of his own brand. The case is ongoing, with both sides standing firm. The dispute highlights the growing complexity of branding in modern sports. As athletes continue to build empires off the field, intellectual property disputes like this one are likely to become more frequent—and more high-stakes.
In the meantime, Aikman’s nephew might soon be more than just family—he could become key counsel in helping Uncle Troy protect his newest legacy.
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