Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman shared rare photos with his girlfriend, Marisa Howard, to celebrate her 40th birthday.
“Happy Birthday Beautiful ❤️,” Aikman, 59, posted via Instagram on Sunday, October 4, alongside a carousel of pictures of Howard.
The NFL legend and Howard have kept their relationship very low-key. The pair were photographed together at the Children’s Cancer Fund’s 35th Anniversary Gala in April 2025. D Magazine confirmed they were dating two months later.
Howard vacationed in Croatia with Aikman and his two daughters — Jordan, 25, and Ally, 24 — in June, which Aikman showed off via Instagram.
Aikman shares his daughters with his first wife, Rhonda Worthey, who he was married to from 2000 to 2011. He was married to his second wife, Capa Mooty, from 2017 to 2023.
Marisa shares two daughters of her own with her ex-husband, Frank Howard Jr., according to D Magazine. She filed for divorce in July 2024, though it is unclear whether the divorce has been finalized.
A former model, Marisa is also a children’s book author and creator of the Sissies Adventures Series, which “celebrates the gift of sisterhood while joyfully exploring new destinations.”
Aikman, who is now the color analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football, called the end of his second marriage his “rock bottom.”
“For me, contentment was always a four-letter word,” he told The Athletic in September 2024. “I never wanted to be content. I didn’t wanna be around anyone who was content. That’s just not a place I could land.”
While Aikman keeps his relationship with Marisa close to the vest, he does not shy away from gushing about his daughters on social media.
“I’ve had a front-row seat watching you become such an amazing young woman. Couldn’t be more proud of you and equally as proud to be your Dad. Happy birthday Jordan, I love you ❤️,” Aikman shared via Instagram in August.
Aikman shared a birthday message to his younger daughter the month before.
“Happy 24th birthday to my beautiful daughter, Ally,” he posted via Instagram in July. “Twenty-four years ago, you blessed my life and you’ve brought that same light, kindness, and joy to so many others. Proud to be your dad. Happy birthday, darling ❤️.”
On the professional side of things, there’s been much talk about Aikman’s broadcasting future, with the former quarterback currently in the final year of his five-year, $90 million contract with ESPN.
“I don’t really have an answer there,” Aikman said on the “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch” podcast last month. “I don’t really know. I’ve had no conversation with anyone from Bristol as far as what this means for me.”
