In May 2023, Troy Aikman walked into Heritage Auctions in Dallas—not as a Hall of Famer or TV personality, but as a longtime fan chasing a small, personal dream. The original bar set from his favorite series, Cheers—that cozy, wood-paneled sanctuary where “everybody knows your name”—was up for auction as part of a special pop culture memorabilia exhibit. And it had landed in his city. For Aikman, unwinding in front of the TV after long, bruising games, Cheers offered him comfort— a slice of ordinary tucked into the unforgiving life of a legendary QB. 

Back in his playing days, the 1982 NBC sitcom series Cheers had quietly become part of his routine. “Oh yeah, big fan of the show,” he said with a boyish smile in an interview that day. “You feel like they’re family.” So when a friend, Tony Fay, sent him photos from the exhibit a week earlier, Aikman knew he had to see it for himself. And when he found out George Wendt and John Ratzenberger—or more famously known as Norm and Cliff from the show—would be there too, the idea came to life instantly.

Armed with cans of his beer brand, EIGHT, Aikman planned to reincarnate a scene straight out of his favorite Thursday night TV show. He’d step behind the bar like Sam Malone—another athlete-turned-barkeep—and pour one out beside the very men who made that bar feel so real. “I brought the beer,” he said, grinning with anticipation. “I’m gonna get a shot with them. I think it would be kind of cool.” But as they say, be careful what you wish for. Wendt and Ratzenberger arrived later than expected, and Aikman—due at a charity event—had to leave before the moment could happen. The photo he’d imagined never came to life. Still, he left with a quiet hope that someday, it might. But that hope, too, faded on Tuesday, the same day the Cheers series had ended 32 years ago.

That bar, those characters, especially Norm, who were always there to comfort the quarterback, suddenly feel distant. Yet, Aikman didn’t have much to say. All he could manage was to share a photo— Wendt, smiling with a beer in hand—and a short caption that said everything it needed to: “RIP Norm 🙏.”

But his grief was far from over, still. That same day, ex-Cowboys player Troy Aikman was hit with another tough loss, the news of which was revealed by Hall of Famer Terrell Owens.

Troy Aikman mourns the loss of Alabama’s hero

Just before Troy Aikman mourned the loss of George Wendt, another heartbreaking moment hit the NFL world. Terrell Owens took to Instagram to share the passing of his beloved high school receiver’s coach, Coach Powell. The Hall of Famer posted a few heartfelt photos with his coach and revealed that Powell passed away Thursday morning, May 15, around 9:30 a.m. PST. In his powerful tribute, Owens thanked Coach’s granddaughter, Caity, as it was because of her that he got to say goodbye during his final breaths.

Owens informed that though Coach couldn’t speak, he knew he was listening as he told him he loved him, and would miss him. Along with this, he reminded him that he once coached a future Hall of Famer. Owens also looked back on one of their early varsity practices, where Coach made it clear his receivers had to block first, then catch. That mindset shaped Owens’ game all the way through the NFL. “If (you) don’t believe me,” he wrote, “find some clips of me blocking and roll the tape.”

He even got the chance to show Coach his Hall of Fame jacket and ring, something that meant the world to a kid from Alexander City, Alabama. The tribute hit hard. Even Troy Aikman, who was grieving himself, quietly liked the post. Honestly, how could anyone read that and not feel it? The days have been harsh for the NFL star.