Cowboys Quarterback No Longer A Bachelor

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and former Cowboys publicist Rhonda Worthey tied the knot Saturday afternoon at a quiet ceremony at Mr. Aikman's Plano, TX home. <br><br>A small group of family

Sunday, April 9th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and former Cowboys publicist Rhonda Worthey tied the knot Saturday afternoon at a quiet ceremony at Mr. Aikman's Plano, TX home.

A small group of family and friends witnessed the ceremony.

About 150 guests were on a list to attend an evening reception, said Collin County Sheriff's Capt. Tim Quintana, a member of Mr. Aikman's security detail. Plano is north of Dallas in Collin County.

The cul-de-sac where Mr. Aikman lives was blocked off early and police guarded the home, but nobody tried to crash the nuptials.

At Friday night's rehearsal dinner at Al Biernat's, the couple was toasted by present and former Cowboys coaches and teammates, including Daryl Johnston, Bill Bates, Emmitt Smith, Mark Stepnoski, Kevin Gogan, special teams coach Joe Avezzano and Redskins coach Norv Turner, formerly with the Cowboys organization.

A private room at Biernat's was decked out in roses, and the 29 guests drank from huge silver chalices. Men smoked cigars in silver holders, and women were presented silver hearts.

The revelry lasted close to five hours, breaking up around midnight.

Apparently word of the party leaked out, because owner Al Biernat was beseiged with last-minute calls from young women wanting reservations for tables of 10 and 12. (They didn't get in; the place was already packed.)

The publicity-shy Mr. Aikman had worked hard to keep his wedding date a secret. Guests were called months ago, told the date and informed that invitations bearing the location would arrive at the last minute to keep the media at bay. A false rumor was circulated among Cowboys players' wives that the wedding would be in California.

But pal John Madden spilled the beans Thursday during a broadcast from the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., saying he was leaving early to go to Dallas for Mr. Aikman's wedding.

Mr. Aikman, 33, has been dating Ms. Worthey for about a year and half after meeting her in the Cowboys public relations office, where she worked.

She resigned last spring to spend more time with her elementary-aged daughter.

The Cowboys may be hauling out their tuxes again before too long.

Emmitt Smith, who jetted in from Tokyo late Friday to attend the rehearsal dinner and wedding with his fiancee, Pat Lawrence, said he and Ms. Lawrence will be tying the knot ``in a couple of weeks.''

Troy Aikman has accumulated three Super Bowl rings in his career and was one of Dallas' most eligible bachelors until he was removed from the playing field by today's wedding.

The marriage license was filed in Collin County, where Mr. Aikman and his wife will live. Mr. Aikman, 33, has been dating Ms. Worthey for about 18 months. The two met at the Cowboys' practice facility at Valley Ranch, where Ms. Worthey once worked in the public relations office.

Ms. Worthey, who is two years younger than Mr. Aikman, has a 9-year-old daughter from another marriage. Mr. Aikman proposed during the July 4 weekend when he and Ms. Worthey took a trip to the San Francisco area.