NFL Fans Confused by Mic’d Up Parents of Rising Star Aidan Hutchinson in Lions’ Kickoff Game
During the broadcast of the Kansas City Chiefs-Detroit Lions Kickoff Game on Thursday night, NFL fans expressed confusion over one of NBC’s features. The cameras continuously cut to Aidan Hutchinson’s parents, Melissa and Chris, who were mic’d up for the game at Arrowhead Stadium. This rare occurrence of having family members actually mic’d up during a live broadcast left fans perplexed.
It’s not uncommon for cameras to capture players’ family members and friends in the crowd during games, which is always exciting to see. However, the inclusion of actual live audio from Hutchinson’s parents was unexpected and raised questions among viewers.
Last year, the Lions drafted Hutchinson, a local Michigan product, as the first overall pick. The team had a challenging season in 2021, finishing as the second-worst club in football. Therefore, the expectations for Hutchinson’s performance weren’t particularly high in Motor City at the time.
There was no reason to Mic’ Up Aidan Hutchinson’s parents… and then why use it on the broadcast? pic.twitter.com/li2vRrPRgQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2023
Despite the low expectations, Hutchinson and the Lions defied all odds by exceeding expectations in 2022. They finished the season with a commendable 9-8 record and narrowly missed out on the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions ended their season on a high note by eliminating Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers from playoff contention at Lambeau Field.
Hutchinson himself had an exceptional rookie year, emerging as one of the top rookies of 2022. He recorded an impressive 9.5 sacks, three interceptions, and three pass defenses. The Lions’ unexpected success led to significant hype surrounding the team as they entered the 2023 season. The NFL recognized this excitement and selected the Lions to participate in the prestigious Kickoff Game against the defending champions.
Why are we putting a mic on Aidan Hutchinson’s parents…..?
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2023
Although NFL fans appreciated the glimpse into Hutchinson’s family dynamics, some couldn’t help but wonder why NBC continued to show his parents throughout the game. While typically seeing players’ families in the crowd adds an emotional aspect to broadcasts, having them mic’d up was an uncommon occurrence that sparked confusion among viewers.
Ultimately, the inclusion of Melissa and Chris Hutchinson in the broadcast provided a unique perspective for fans, allowing them to witness the support and pride felt by the parents of a rising star in the NFL. It remains to be seen if this will become a regular feature in future broadcasts or if it was simply a one-time special for the Lions’ season opener. Nevertheless, it added an intriguing element to an already enticing matchup between two talented teams.
