Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and television broadcaster Troy Aikman issued a clarification over a viral video showing him on a hot mic appearing to mock a military flyover.
“I love a flyover but It was odd to see one over a mostly empty stadium but I am an unwavering patriot that loves this country, has always respected our flag, supported the men and women in the armed forces as well as those in uniform who serve & protect and for anyone to suggest otherwise doesn’t know me, my beliefs or what I have stood for my entire life,” the Fox broadcaster tweeted in response to the hot mic recording, which also featured broadcast partner Joe Buck.
I love a flyover but It was odd to see one over a mostly empty stadium but I am an unwavering patriot that loves this country, has always respected our flag, supported the men and women in the armed forces as well as those in uniform who serve & protect and for anyone to suggest
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) October 20, 2020
otherwise doesn’t know me, my beliefs or what I have stood for my entire life.??
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) October 20, 2020
“That’s your hard-earned money and your tax dollars at work,” Buck can be heard saying before Aikman joined in and said, “That stuff ain’t happening with a Kamala-Biden ticket. I’ll tell you that right now, partner.”
Even Joe Buck and Troy Aikman find pregame flyovers to be a little much these days: https://t.co/0IZL6GhmZy pic.twitter.com/G4EpB3SYtN
— Defector (@DefectorMedia) October 19, 2020
Aikman’s response drew support from some on Twitter but also drew criticism from those who weren’t satisfied with the former quarterback’s explanation.
“Those fighter jets are heard and seen for miles around and, in many cities, are the only fixed wing military aircraft some ever get to see — sound of freedom! (And that’s coming from a @USArmy officer.)” former California assemblyman Chuck Devore tweeted.
Those fighter jets are heard and seen for miles around and, in many cities, are the only fixed wing military aircraft some ever get to see — sound of freedom! (And that’s coming from a @USArmy officer.)
— Chuck DeVore (@ChuckDeVore) October 21, 2020
“As a mere TV talker dont know if you’re aware anyone in the stadium is a minute fraction of all the people watching on TV who see & love flyovers if your crews bother to show them,” columnist Andrew Malcolm tweeted. “Also mil pilots nd flite hrs to stay qualified to defend us.”
As a mere TV talker dont know if you’re aware anyone in the stadium is a minute fraction of all the people watching on TV who see & love flyovers if your crews bother to show them. Also mil pilots nd flite hrs to stay qualified to defend us.
— Andrew Malcolm (@AHMalcolm) October 21, 2020
“Why not just admit you hate our president and you’ll say anything necessary to defeat him in November?” author and entrepreneur Alexander Muse tweeted. “The truth is that you’ve seen scores of flyovers and never commented on them negatively until now. You are partisan and biased. Just admit it and move on.”
Why not just admit you hate our president and you’ll say anything necessary to defeat him in November? The truth is that you’ve seen scores of flyovers and never commented on them negatively until now. You are partisan and biased. Just admit it and move on.
— @amuse (@amuse) October 20, 2020
Other Twitter users responded with “BS” and “too late,” while some reiterated Malcolm’s point that many of the fighter pilots involved in the flyovers rely on the training hours to stay sharp and “qualified to defund us.”
Fox Sports did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Washington Examiner about the hot mic incident.
