Troy Aikman Steps Out With Girlfriend for Romantic Birthday Dinner in Rare Photos

Troy Aikman and his girlfriend, Marisa Howard, celebrated a milestone in style this week, enjoying an intimate birthday dinner at an upscale Dallas restaurant.

Howard, 40, took to her Instagram Story to share a snapshot of the 59-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer with his arm wrapped around her and captioned the post, “Best night.” Aikman reposted the image before sharing a rare photo set go photos on Instagram with the caption, “Happy Birthday Beautiful.”

The romance between the pair first captured public attention when D Magazine reported last year that they were spotted taking hot yoga classes together in Dallas. At the time, Howard was going through a divorce from her ex-husband, Frank Howard Jr., whom she filed to split from in July 2024. Howard shares two daughters with her ex and previously worked as the director of communications for his company, GeneIQ, a molecular diagnostic laboratory.

Along with her background working in corporate, Howard also dabbles in the creative and wellness space. According to her LinkedIn and Instagram bios, she is a mother, certified yogi, and children’s book author. She has also carved out a career in the fashion industry, working as a model for prominent brands including Neiman Marcus, JCPenney, Stanley Korshak, and SkinCeuticals.

 

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Aikman officially made their relationship public in June this year by sharing vacation photos from Croatia featuring Howard alongside his daughters, Alexa and Jordan.

This new chapter follows a pair of divorces. Aikman was previously married to former Cowboys publicist Rhonda Worthey, with whom he shares his two daughters; the couple announced their split in January 2011 after a decade of marriage. He later married Catherine “Capa” Mooty in 2017, but that marriage ended when their divorce was finalized in July 2023—a split that the athlete-turned-analyst later candidly described to The Athletic as his “rock bottom.”

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who is currently in the final year of his ESPN broadcast contract ahead of calling the 2027 Super Bowl with Joe Buck, has been open about his personal life.

This new chapter follows a pair of prominent divorces. Aikman was previously married to former Cowboys publicist Rhonda Worthey, with whom he shares his two daughters. The couple announced their split in January 2011 after a decade of marriage. He later married Catherine “Capa” Mooty in 2017, but that marriage ended when their divorce was finalized in July 2023—a split that the athlete-turned-analyst later candidly described to The Athletic as his “rock bottom.

Now, with celebrations in Dallas and a blended family dynamic, Aikman and Howard continue to share glimpses of their life together as the quarterback navigates his media career and a fresh chapter off the field.