He always did like the Cowboys. Was on record saying he wore #8 because of Troy Aikman.
He wore #8 because of Hasselbeck.
I know you said the Aikman thing as if you knew what you were talking about & I know "no one" would wear a number because of "Hasselbeck" but... it's true. In my "David Carr-bashing days" I remember I didn't even have to make that up.