Fox announcer and former Cowboys star Troy Aikman has apparently received enough criticism for comments he made about a flyover on Sunday to warrant a defense and explanation of his comments.
Aikman on Tuesday responded to the backlash he has received, saying he loved flyovers and supported the military while calling himself "an unwavering patriot." He ended his message with an American flag emoji.
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
MORE: Aikman, Buck caught mocking stadium flyover
The incident Aikman referred to occurred on Sunday ahead of the Packers-Buccaneers game. Aikman and broadcasting partner Joe Buck were heard on a hot mic mocking a flyover that occurred over an empty Raymond James Stadium amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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
"That's a lot of jet fuel just to do a little flyover," Aikman said.
Responded Buck: "That's your hard-earned money and your tax dollars at work."
Aikman finished the brief conversation by saying, "That stuff ain't happening with the Kamala (Harris)-(Joe) Biden ticket, I'll tell you that right now, partner."
Many who criticized Aikman's comments on social media pointed out that such flyovers count as training exercise and pilot hours, and would need to occur regardless of where they took place. Others took offense with the fact he seemed to favor the Biden-Harris ticket in the 2020 presidential election.
