Troy Aikman's passing days didn't end when he retired from the Dallas Cowboys.

The Hall of Fame quarterback says he's passed his two final college courses and will graduate in June from UCLA — 20 years after he left for the NFL.

The Dallas Morning News reported yesterday that Aikman is getting a bachelor's degree in sociology and will participate in UCLA's graduation ceremonies.

The 42-year-old Fox Sports broadcaster says he's "finally taking care of unfinished business."

Aikman says he promised his mother, when he left school just two courses shy of a degree, that he would return and finish.

Aikman's final two courses included a class on race and ethnicity, and another on aging.

He earned an "A" for both.

DOLPHINS

PARCELLS HAS AN ESCAPE

Bill Parcells' escape clause with the Miami Dolphins was expanded before the sale of the team was completed last month, and he can now leave at any time and collect the balance of the $12 million due him under a four-year contract.

The contract Parcells signed a year ago gave him a 30-day window to depart with full pay if the team was sold. Outgoing owner Wayne Huizenga said yesterday he removed the window before completing the sale of the team Jan. 20 to Stephen Ross.

"It was the right thing to do," Huizenga said. "It was good for Bill. It was good for Steve. It was good for the Dolphins."

Parcells has said he plans to remain as executive vice president of football operations through at least the 2009 season.

STEELERS

MINOR SURGERY FOR WARD

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward underwent minor shoulder surgery this week but apparently will not need an operation to repair the right knee he injured during the AFC Championship game.

Ward sprained his knee against Baltimore on Jan. 18, but recovered to make two catches for 43 yards as the Steelers beat Arizona, 27-23, in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

TEXANS

GREEN, GREENWOOD CUT

Running back Ahman Green and linebacker Morlon Greenwood were released by the Houston Texans yesterday.

Green, an 11-year veteran, was hailed as the solution to Houston's rushing woes when he was signed, but the 31-year-old four-time Pro Bowler finished each of his two seasons with the Texans on injured reserve.

The 30-year-old Greenwood, who recorded more than 100 tackles in each of the previous four seasons, saw his production and playing time decrease this season. He started 10 games and finished with 45 tackles.