Yahoo Finance Fox's Troy Aikman backtracks after hot-mic criticism of NFL anthem flyover
Troy Aikman backtracked on Tuesday after making Monday headlines alongside his Fox NFL broadcast partner Joe Buck for laughing at pregame flyovers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buck and Aikman called Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers that was played in front of roughly 15,000 fans at Raymond James Stadium.
As is tradition at NFL games, a pregame flyover ensued, despite the mostly empty stadium.
Aikman and Buck had jokes.
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: “That’s a lot of jet fuel just to do a little flyover.”
Buck: “That’s your hard-earned money and your tax dollars at work.”
Aikman: “That stuff ain’t happening with [a] Kamala-Biden ticket, I’ll tell you that right now partner.”
Hot-mic moment wasn’t made for TV
The problem for Aikman and Buck is that their commentary wasn’t intended for air. But it made it to the internet, as so many things do.
Of course, there’s nothing egregious about reasonable criticism of using taxpayer funds to fly jets over football stadiums — especially one that’s mostly empty. But in the milquetoast world of the NFL, anything that can be construed — accurately or not — as a lack of patriotism sounds alarms. Especially when you’re a Dallas Cowboys icon.
Aikman: ‘I love a flyover but ...’
So Aikman issued a clarification on Tuesday — just to make sure everyone knows he’s “an unwavering patriot.”
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
Buck’s Twitter page, meanwhile, made no mention of the kerfuffle.
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