NFL fans have been left baffled after NBC gave microphones to Aidan Hutchinson's parents during Thursday Night Football.
Melissa and Chris Hutchinson were at Arrowhead Stadium to watch their son play for the Detroit Lions against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Hutchinson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft, put in a strong showing as the Lions beat the reigning Super Bowl champions 21-20.
But fans were left scratching their heads as the camera continued to cut back to the Hutchinson's sitting in the stands.
Microphones picked up some of their conversations, including when Melissa announced she was getting the "big binoculars from the bag."
The pair didn't contribute directly to the broadcast during the game but NBC played clips of Chris hollering after his son made a big play.
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Fans were quick to comment on X, formerly known as Twitter, with one saying: "This is a bit weird."
Another asked: "I feel like it’s weird to mic up any NFL parents during any game… like why lol,"
While a third said: "This cannot be a new norm for this season."
But a fourth countered: "You are all acting like they were mic’d up and didn’t know lol. Hutch’s family could have said no?"
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NFL writer Dov Kleiman added: "There was no reason to Mic' Up Aidan Hutchinson’s parents... and then why use it on the broadcast?"
Chris was a football star in college, starting every game in 1989 at defensive tackle for the Michigan Wolverines under legendary coach Bo Schembechler.
He twice earned First Team All-Big 10 honors and finished his career with 24 sacks, fourth-most in school history.
Aiden's mom Melissa, who supported the NFL star with a mixture of cheers and gasps throughout the game, was crowned Michigan Teen USA in 1988.
Hutchinson enjoyed a strong rookie season, totaling 9.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 pass defenses.
He signed a four-year, $35.7million rookie contract with the Lions after going off the boards first in last year's draft.
Prior to the win over the Chiefs, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes heaped praise on the defensive end.
Mahomes said: "He’s a great football player, there’s a reason he was drafted where he was drafted and a reason he had success in college where he did.
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"He has the physical talent but he is also a smart football player.
"He had three interceptions last year so you know he can do a little bit of everything."
