Report: Cowboys quarterback to be father

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Troy Aikman and his wife are reportedly expecting their first child, even as the Dallas Cowboys quarterback continues to wrestle with whether to continue his National Football League career.

A team source told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Wednesday's editions that the 34-year-old Aikman's wife, Rhonda, recently learned of the pregnancy.

Mrs. Aikman has a 10-year-old daughter, Rachel, from a previous marriage. The couple married on April 8.

As the Cowboys' 5-11 season was ending last year, Aikman's health again became an issue. He suffered his second concussion of the season and 10th of his 12-year NFL career against Washington on Dec. 10.

When Aikman did play, he threw 14 interceptions -- five in one game -- and seven touchdowns while compiling the lowest QB rating of any NFC starter.

While Aikman, who grew up in Oklahoma and played a few years at the University of Oklahoma, has been deciding whether to retire, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been debating whether to release him if he doesn't. Health issues include at least nine concussions Aikman suffered while with the Cowboys, four coming in the past 14 months.

It was unknown what effect the news that Aikman is going to be a father might have on his decision. He and Jones planned to meet soon, probably in California, to discuss Aikman's future.

It was believed that Aikman still wants to play. His publicist did not return a telephone call Wednesday from The Associated Press.

Aikman is due a $7 million bonus under his contract if he's still on the Cowboys roster March 8.

The latest "Dallas Cowboys Family Cookbook" lists Aikman's plans for the future as, "Raising a family, being a good husband and father ... " and 3/8play lots of golf."