Despite having a particularly strained relationship with Troy Aikman, Skip Bayless was “shocked” to learn that the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback had a problem with him.

Bayless joined the latest episode of Pardon my opinion Podcast with hosts Dan “Big Cat” Katz and PFT commentator (Eric Sollenberger). And during an in-depth interview that included discussions about Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe and Charles Barkley, PFT noted that Aikman was their previous guest, which prompted him to ask Bayless about the current status of their relationship.


“Great. We're in touch, we're friendly,” Bayless said, before asking whether PFT was referring to issues arising from his 1996 book about the Dallas Cowboys entitled Hell possessed.

“Did you imply or say in the book that he is gay?” PFT asked.

“I didn't say you obviously haven't read it,” Bayless concluded, prompting Big Cat to confirm: “We're not reading it.”

“If you read my book, you would like the way I portrayed Troy in my book,” Bayless insisted. “Because Troy was the hero of this book. I liked my portrayal of him, signed a book, and gave Troy the very first copy of my book in person at the camp practice field at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. On the first day of camp, when training ended, I took my book and gave it to him. And I was shocked that he didn't like it originally. But we recovered and he was just great for me. And we text.”

Aikman probably didn't like his portrayal in the book because Bayless addressed rumors that the Cowboys quarterback was gay. In subsequent years, Bayless was accused of making the unfounded claim that Aikman was gay. However, Bayless didn't make that claim; he was parroting a rumor that then-Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer had started. While Bayless didn't try to spark a rumor of his own, it's still fair to question whether this rumor is even worth pursuing.

Nearly 30 years later, it's interesting to hear Bayless claim his relationship with Aikman has since improved. Because if it is improved, it has taken more than two decades to get there. When Fox plucked Bayless from ESPN in 2016, Aikman was vocal in his criticism of the decision.

“To say I’m disappointed in the hiring of Skip Bayless would be a huge understatement,” Aikman said in 2016, when he was lead NFL analyst for Fox. “I believe that success is achieved through the acquisition and development of talented, respected and credible individuals, and that does not apply to Skip Bayless.”

They are no longer teammates, as Aikman moved to ESPN and Bayless left Fox to focus on digital ventures earlier this year. But at some point in the last few years, it appears Bayless discussed his portrayal of Aikman with the former Cowboys quarterback himself. However, Aikman has not spoken publicly about whether his feelings toward Bayless have improved.

(Forgive my opinion)