Blue Angels Shock NFL Crowd with Unexpected Flyover: What Really Happened featuring George Dom

Military flyovers add a unique touch to pre-game ceremonies at major sporting events, but an in-game flyover is a rare spectacle. On October 12, 1997, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron surprised attendees at Candlestick Park in San Francisco during the Rams vs. 49ers game in Week 7 of the NFL season.
During their annual Fleet Week Air Show visit to the city, the idea for the mid-game flyover originated with Lead Solo Lt. Ryan Scholl. On the Thursday before the game, Lt. Scholl approached Flight Leader Cdr. George Dom, seeking approval. Cdr. Dom, instead of dismissing the idea, instructed Lt. Scholl to obtain clearance from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the San Francisco 49ers.
To Cdr. Dom's surprise on the morning of October 12th, all necessary permissions were granted. Following the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration over San Francisco Bay, airspace above the stadium was cleared, allowing the iconic Delta Formation to soar over the game during the 3rd quarter.
The live broadcast on Fox Sports captured the animated reaction of renowned broadcasters John Madden and Pat Summerall in the booth. Madden, known for his fear of flying, added an extra layer of excitement to the unexpected flyover.
In the weeks that followed, Cdr. Dom extended a personal invitation to both broadcasters for a ride in one of the Team's jets, which was declined. However, the following year, Fox Sports sent a production crew to NAS El Centro, the Blue Angels' winter home base. They filmed a skit with the Team, featured on the "All Madden Team" television special aired just before the Super Bowl. At the conclusion of the broadcast, John Madden honored the Blue Angels as the MVP of the All Madden Team.
Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
Visual Resources
Fox Sports
National Archives
rulenumberone2 | Flickr
steve.moss88 | Flickr

[@flyjagz]

Credit to Lt. Scholl for the idea and follow through, and credit to boss for not immediately shooting down the idea. "You don't want to suppress the good ideas coming from the rest of the team" wise words from a great leader.

[@whiterook8022]

There's a lot of "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" in this story lol

[@trvman1]

and Business today does just the opposite. They don't want to hear from their employees. "Big wigs" know everything.

[@velvetjones8634]

“…shooting down the idea.” I see what you did there. 😜

[@SteveH98264]

I'm a retired air traffic controller and was working @ BAY approach the day this happened. The reaction in the break room was clearly heard in the control room right after the fly-by.

[@fishon7301]

I'm pretty sure - even with this short notice, that the FAA would have issued a TFR for this. Surely these guys didn't fly VFR through here without some kind of flight restrictions to minimize potential conflicts. I knew some of your fellow controllers at ANC. I worked with the FSS guys at AK Region and often worked at ANC tower.

[@SteveH98264]

@@fishon7301 The Blues flew their routine over the bay between the Golden Gate, the Bay Bridge, and the San Rafael bridge. We closed that portion of the airspace for the show.

[@mnhs06]

​@@fishon7301😊😊

[@mianatwood]

Thank you for your services! I’m getting my CFI at Hayward.

[@stevemagazinovic8254]

That was awesome. Thank you all for not getting in the way of an awesome experience

[@jeffreyvb1]

I was at that game. Steve Young stepped back from the line and stared into the sky in awe. The roar of the crowd and the planes was unbelievable. Thank you Blue Angels.

[@coreydean6540]

It happened during a kick off after a blocked punt.

[@chazmichaelmichaels88]

Jets*

[@joshuaburba1048]

​@@coreydean6540Maybe @jeffreyvb1 is saying Steve Young did the punt? 🙄🙄🙄

[@ragedmayhem1]

America 🇺🇲

[@reggierico]

During Fleet Week in San Francisco, the Blues would traditionally fly out of Oakland International Airport. Now, they fly out of Moffett Field in the South Bay. One early afternoon, I was flying for a major airline out of Oakland and as we pulled up No. 1 for departure, we were informed by tower that there would be a 5-10 minute delay as the Blue Angels recovered after their show. I remember turning the airplane slightly to allow the passengers the best view and informed them of what was about to take place. Their low recovery was perfect and as they peeled off one by one, we had quite an airshow for ourselves and the passengers. It was a memorable day!

[@kcbroncohater]

did you fly in the service?

[@3snowyman]

They still do fly out of Oakland. At least they have for the last 2 years.

[@reggierico]

@@kcbroncohaterYes, 10 years flying C130s.

[@kcbroncohater]

@@reggierico I bet that was fun. Did you ever get tired of it?

[@reggierico]

@@kcbroncohater Not yet, and it's been thirty years. Got hired out of the Air Force in 1993.

[@GeoffreyRT]

My wife and I were at that game. We are both long time 49er fans. We had been at Monterey Bay for the weekend. We were watching the Fox NFL preview. My wife asks me if the 49ers playing at home today? I said yeah they were playing the Rams. She says "Let's go!" I'm like nah, there's no way there will be tickets available. This was long before smart phones and resale websites. But she was insistent. So we drove up. Paid $20 bucks to park. Got 2 tickets at face value the box office. Got on the escalator to head for the nose bleed seats. Found an usher who told us our seats were lower down. After two more staff encounters we found our seats. About 10 rows from the field. Beautiful sunny day. First ever NFL game at a stadium for both of us. We were sitting on the approach side of the field. We could see the crowd on the opposite side higher up cheering and getting excited. Then the Blue Angels flew over. Wow! So cool! Whole stadium was cheering! Just awesome. It was one of our best days individually and as a couple (38 total years together).

[@michael5403]

I was there at that game. My brother and I were seated on the side that the Angels were coming from so our backs were to them. We were puzzled why the crowd on the opposite side of the stadium were standing up and getting really loud, they could see the Angels coming, then Boom! They flew overhead, it was really loud. It was between plays and I looked down on the field and Steve Young was still lookin up. As a pilot myself it was so exciting.

[@jlo7770]

I can believe that, I live relatively close to a small airport that is kinda close to an airforce base and one morning a f'ing huey helicocksucker flew in (idk why maybe? To get fuel) and that thing shook my entire house. Idk how high they were flying as I didn't realize till I looked at the airport cuz I kinda thought we were having an earth quake, but I don't think people understand how violent military aviation equipment is. Especially when they're using "military power" vs "full power" us civis get lol. I wonder what those guys get paid, if it's kinda the normal dog crap wages the military usually gets or are they making decent money? Gotta be the coolest job in the world if you're into aviation, get paid to fly some of the best jets in the world and have fun while you're at it? I doubt they'd ever be called up to go into combat so it's relatively safe militarily concerned... lucky bastards they are

[@dslife1]

RIP John and Patt.😞 The best part of my Sunday football rituals for many years. God bless both of them.

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

The Lord lets them broadcast on Sundays in the Stadium in the Sky and reporting the exploits of the day's game by Unitas, Grange, Y.A. Tittle, Payton, Halas, Gifford, Brown, and coached by Coryell, Landry, Gibbs, ...

[@dslife1]

@@RighteousReverendDynamite ❤️

[@O-sa-car]

@@RighteousReverendDynamitedon’t forget Sid Gillman

[@LeviBulger]

I think you mean MNF, right? Didn't these two do MNF together or was that only later when Madden was with Al Michaels.

[@wtcashel]

America needs more of the approving roar heard when 70,000 of us, regardless of who and what we are, cheer together for something we all support and believe in - like The Blue Angels! We used to cheer together more often. What changed that isn’t worth arguing about. What’s much more important is figuring out how we can get back together before we tear this country apart! (76 year young American).

[@ewetoobblows9169]

Amen to that Sir!!!🇺🇸💪🏻

[@SpectreDelta516]

Underrated and extremely true comment.

[@GeorgeTropicana]

Tell that to the liberals and you'll get laughed at because they hate you and they hate America

[@baxter8it]

Thanks for saying this. Proud Air Force brat.

[@marshawilliams2580]

AMEN! God bless AMERICA!❤ (73 year American).

[@michaelmappin4425]

Ryan Scholl was my XO on USS Enterprise. He went on to command USS Harry S. Truman and is currently a rear admiral.

[@Canoedad11]

My buddy, VADM Walter 'Ted' Carter (ret.)was XO of the Truman, CO of the Vinson, CO of Enterprise Strike Group 12, President. Naval War College, retired as Supt. of the Naval Academy.(Longest serving Supt,.5 years) Maybe you've heard of him. Not meant to be bragging about him. He was just a one of a kind Naval Officer. He takes over as Pres. of Ohio State in Jan. (He's also the only person, civilian/military to fly in the #2 seat through a entire Blue Angel show over Annapolis, I've got the in-flight video of it.)

[@mgoblue0970]

> He takes over as Pres. of Ohio State Why would someone with such a distinguished career want to lower themselves to such a level?

[@Dan-ge1pz]

@@mgoblue0970Different challenges.

[@charlesshults7398]

For $2 million a year.

[@Nevertoolatefilms]

I was working in the Security Command Post at Candlestick Park when this happened. I was told by a 49er executive just a few minutes before that it was going to occur. I was just two boxes over from Madden and Summerall so I had the same view and it did look like they were at eye level, but obviously they were higher than that. I have seen the Fox tape but never heard this explanation before from the Blue Angels CO. There was a photo in the Stadium Operations Office taken from the Met Life Blimp looking down on the Blue Angels as they flew over the stadium, with the signatures of the pilots. It is a rare shot as all air traffic is usually cleared for them. It was a privilege to see the impromptu fly over

[@user-eh7yn6rl1u]

Mu neice and I were sitting in our seats in Upper Section 1. Just as the teams were getting ready for the second half kick-off we looked up off in the distance I said those are the Blue Angeles and they are heading straight towards us. They flew low directly over us. The stadium crowd was rocking. It was so cool and to hear this back story makes all the more special!

[@K31011]

Madden "Sometimes those guys do goofy things like fly upside down" . Thats an amazing story glad this came across my feed today.

[@bobsch-gd6ze]

John Madden is an All Time MVP, RIP !!

[@Ernesto-sb5kh]

RN4L ❤

[@trailrunner9113]

The best!

[@carlcolvin8320]

Hence the beginning of the fly over for the NFL

[@002tar]

I used to own a restaurant in Livermore Ca and John Madden and his son Mike came in once a week - he was always so nice and had no problem when people asked him for his autograph etc- his son Mike is a really nice guy as well

[@ktbeatty]

Great to occasionally see a story like this that’s just good fun all around, with no one clutching pearls.

[@alan.macrae]

We need more stories like this. Thank you Blue Angels!

[@THR33STEP]

Madden’s reaction was the best!!!! The fly over was incredible!!!!

[@mustangspitfire6835]

I had just watched the Madden special that aired sometime ago and they cover the story of his fear of flying, which in turn got him into taking a train to get to the stadiums during his coaching days. Eventually, he gets his own bus and would travel all over the country in and it became quite the event to travel with him. With that, seeing this story makes the fact that he chose this flyover event as the All Madden MVP Team winner pretty awesome. If you haven't seen the Madden special you should, he was an awesome human being.

[@bettycurry6752]

Our small military base in Canada was treated to the Blue Angels exhibition years ago….wonderful!!!

[@RolandF1822]

Boss Dom was my first and greatest Commanding Officer I ever had.

[@EvilTheOne]

As a fighter jet maintainer for 39+ years, it still give me goosebumps seeing stories about our great aircraft and the pilots who fly them. To all of my fellow maintainers, thank you for your dedication & commitment to excellence!

[@cap1900]

That’s a great story. I’m not a football fan, but a career pilot. This story is heart warming to all the crews involved as well as all the football fans and players .

[@CardinalStandard]

Saw the Blue Angel's in Latrobe, PA. I was never more proud to be an American than I was to see the kicking ass in the skies of southwestern Pennsylvania! I was in New York, at the WTC on 9/11 and didn't feel safe until I heard our fighter jets flying overhead. That is the only good memory that I have of that nightmarish day. Those fighter jets were the Angel's upon our shoulder's that day as we dug for our family and friends.

[@randyhuffman9370]

I don't care how old this story gets,,.. It always leaves me in tears!!! RIP John Madden

[@rachaelmangum6887]

Love and miss John Madden!

[@Nicksonian]

Living in Annapolis for 35 years, I have the thrill to see the Blue Angels every year. Whether I walk over to the Academy to watch the full show, or just stand outside my house and wait for them to roar overhead, they never get old.

[@jumboJetPilot]

We get a pretty nice air show in Ocean City as well. Actually, one time I did a fly by for the OC air show back before I retired from the reserves. I also did a NASCAR flyover at Dover Downs.

[@mngoosmike2001]

I’m in Upper Marlboro so I’m right behind Andrews. I love the Blue Angels. Been a fan since a kid. My whole family is military and I joined the Marines. Always a great show. Dada used to drive me all the way to Pax River as well when they came to Maryland

[@lbco5229]

Love it! The great national of the USA needs MORE of this!

[@SMcCaskill]

My favorite memorues of the Blue Angels is when one of their squads flew over a nearby hospital in 2020 during the pandemic. A year or two later they participated in dual air shows in Dallas and Fort Worth. As my dog and I were walking down South Main St in Fort Worth I heard them approaching so we stopped to watch and they flew directly above us as they headed to Dallas. It was amazing!

[@ABfromWindsor]

What a thrill for all the those lucky fans to see and experience the sound of the Blue Angels Flyover. ❤

[@rexb1011]

I'm one of the lucky people that have a "official" personalized signed photo of the Blue Angels from when Dom commanded/led. Dom had a very few done for his mother-in-law (signed by all the pilots) and I was lucky enough to be one of the people she gave one to (she was really a cool lady). It is something this former PO2 treasures.

[@subman721]

I was serving on the USS Chicago (SSN-721) and we were there for Fleet Week! Myself and a bunch of my ship mates, were at that game. We didn’t know what was going on at first because we looked over our shoulders into the upper corner of the stadium and there were a bunch of Rams fans cheering. We were like what the hell are they cheering about, they’re getting their asses kicked, 44-3. So then we turn back around and there are the Blue Angels flying real low over those lights. It was something I will never forget.

[@garymcnay8529]

Anyone else get chills watching that flyover?

[@curtwalters8328]

I get a chill at every flyover. Just saw the one for NFC championship. Niners vs Lions. 2 F22s, and and I believe 2 F18s.

[@jerrilynhenson9024]

Always.

[@sheldonaubut]

I've had the pleasure of seeing the Blue Angels perform several times over the years. First time was in the late 1950s, and only wish I could remember what aircraft they were flying. It may have been the Grumman F11 Tiger. Every time I've seen them, the Thunderbirds or the Canadian Snowbirds I've been thrilled and massively entertained. Love this channel.

[@donjones4719]

Per the Blue Angels website they flew the F11F Tiger from 1957-68. They flew the F9F- Cougar from 1955-57, so it depends on how late in the '50s you saw them, or when in 1957. Yes, all of these teams are always a thrill to watch.

[@Primus54]

My first air show at age 6 was at Port Columbus (now John Glenn International) in 1960. The Blues were the feature attraction and they were indeed flying the F11 Tiger. Also featured was the North American A3/A5 Vigilante… a beautiful Navy bird which was being manufactured at the Columbus plant. This started my love affair with aviation.

[@donjones4719]

@@Primus54 The Vigilante is such a sharp clean design, it almost looks like something unreal that only existed in a video game. It was definitely a favorite in my boyhood.

[@Primus54]

@@donjones4719 At the time, my boyhood home was below the downwind approach to Runway 28 so I got to see the Vigi often during test flights. It was the first model kit I assembled. That plane looked like it was traveling supersonic just sitting on the ramp. Cheers! 👍

[@traviscarrier1342]

Canadian Snowbirds? Haven't heard of them I'll have to look into that. Love the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds

[@garyoakes6554]

One of the best stories I never knew about. Awesome!!!!!!

[@gilliantracy7991]

What a fabulous story. The Blue Angels are truly top gun!

[@RowdyRoddyManhammer]

Man, listening to the crowd gave me goosebumps. GO NINERS!!

[@williamoleary9330]

RIP to the hands down greatest NFL Announcer Team in the history of the NFL! We miss you very much Pat & John.

[@bikeny]

That is a great story. And nice that it was the 'Stick.

[@cpodurnell3701]

I had the honor of serving on the team as an Events Coordinator with Boss Dom. 1998 was a banner year of excellence.

[@simwirx]

Amazing story! Love this! Gave me goosebumps just watching the stadium flyover. Good America right here!

[@OKOKOKOKOKOKOK-zn2fy]

I lived in Pensacola, Florida for 14 years. During the season, we were treated to several airshows a week when the Blues were up. You had to be careful driving around town; lots of people looking skyward instead of down the road. The base leg turn for the airfield was right over my house. I would make sure any guests who were visiting would see the Blues.

[@daecor]

I lived in Oakland Park FL as a kid the blue angels used to fly over my house every year at the air and sea show

[@markereyna2363]

When I used to drive truck, 6 months a year would take me to the El Centro area and when the Blue Angels would practice, I would park my truck and enjoy the show while waiting for my load. Never disappointed!

[@vicsaul5459]

Lived in the NAS Pensacola Florida neighborhood for many years, getting to watch the Blues, practice twice a week, was part of my timetable. Especially the non sceduled try outs over the gulf coast above Fort Morgan Alabama, ❤ Blue Angels 😇💙👌

[@user-od1ob4gg9b]

I'm grateful for our blue angels..God bless each and every one of them.

[@PrimarchX]

I was on the Wharf watching the Blue Angels show! Didn't know they buzzed the Niner's game!

[@mechax1]

Absolutely legendary moment for everyone there wish I could have experienced that

[@nathanstrains121]

I wish I had been at that game, was watching it on TV and loved it, especially Madden’s reaction. Got to watch the Blues during Fleet Week for a number of years after this while I was working in The City, such a great experience. Ran into an airline pilot once who had seen them parked at the airport when he landed so he hurried up to the Embarcadero so he could watch!

[@jkker05]

Man the good ol days of football. What a time!

[@bhollingsworth]

Such a great story. Times were different in 97'. Something like that wouldn't be allowed today during the middle of a game.... Amazing stuff.

[@emergencyrapidresponseteam7181]

Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are US Military. FAA gets flights approved for Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. The only restriction and unapproved would be is if Air Force One was in vicinity.

[@bhollingsworth]

@@emergencyrapidresponseteam7181 they would never do a flyover like that during a game in 2023. Ever.

[@CubeInspector]

​@@bhollingsworth they would if it was something they wanted to do. Flyovers sre great recruiting tools it's the reason the DOD has been doing it consistently for 20 years.

[@bhollingsworth]

@@CubeInspector flyovers exclusively happen at the national anthem now. It would never be allowed today as I stated. Some random flyover during a game is distracting for everyone

[@mikeybhoutex]

Yet another 'well, look at what I found' thing on the KZbins. This was great, thanks so much keeping this history alive!

[@IsAllAboutHealth]

Goose bumps.. Love the Blue Angels and love the 49ers!

[@3802er]

What a great story and outcome, I wish this was done more often for both NFL & College games

[@theangrypainter826]

I met the team in the late 70s early 80s i was a kid and they where amazing guys, everyone of them signed my poster.and one of the shared my rare first name.

[@jasonmariani1258]

The greatest decade. I love the 80s but the 90s rocked

[@unicornsandrainbowsandchic2336]

That had to be the coolest thing ever to see from the stands. What a great story!

[@BenjySparky]

Blue Angels y'all rock! Peace

[@TheUnforgiven69]

*As a retired F18 pilot/ instructor 25 years CAF, I went to a football game at IGF Winnipeg on Military Appreciation Night and the 2 F18s that gave the flyby I am told got scolded lol Lead came right into the stadium lower than upper deck seats narrowly missing the huge screen at the end of IGF by a mere 20 feet. He was stealth half way past the crowd by the time the sound hit. Everyone was going crazy WOW WTF WAS THAT kinda thing.* #BESTFLYBYEVER

[@tyronepastor1920]

That’s crazy! Lt. Scholl was my CO on USS Truman (CVN-75) from 2015-2017. He was Captain at the time but i heard he fleeted up to Rear Admiral after that tour.

[@medwards263]

That’s great when last minute things happen and put a smile on 100k people faces ❤

[@jeffreyallen2778]

Retired Naval Air Traffic Controller. Stationed at Pensacola for 5 years. Had the privilege of working the Blue Angels for their practice sessions during the season. It never got old. Those guys are amazing.

[@xiongfong22]

love watching the Blue Angels as a kid at the air show

[@ron88303]

We live a mile or so from a small airport outside St. Louis that has hosted some air shows where the Blue Angels have performed. They come earlier in the week to practice, and often times go right over our yard at a pretty low altitude, so low that you can see their heads in the cockpit. Sometimes fly over in twos, or four single file. It's really awesome to watch.

[@jeffmusgrave2458]

The blue angel flying are what John Madden and Pat Summerall are to football they were both absolutely awesome👍💯

[@lauraa.e.5008]

The Blue Angels are awesome!

[@VerumAdPotentia]

Thank you all for your service to our nation. God bless. God speed. God save the Republic!

[@darklordojeda]

Fleet week. That's awesome.

[@SilentKnight43]

Here in Niagara Falls we often get flybys by the Red Arrows, Blue Angels and Canadian Snowbirds. And we also get frequent flybys from the Lancaster based in Hamilton, Ontario. Difficult to decide which is more impressive - the squadrons...or 4 Merlin engines.

[@jons1148]

This made my day! AWESOME! Thanks for posting.

[@mcz420]

This was an awesome video. Idk why it was recommended but I am eternally grateful it did

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

And I’m grateful you watched! Cheers

[@tacomator2895]

Nothing screams America more than the Blue Angels!!

[@marilyngall]

Air Force Thunderbirds

[@Backroad_Junkie]

Waaay back in 1992, the Blue Angels were staging out of the Glenview NAS for the Chicago Air and Water show. The public was invited out to the Air Station, so my Dad and I went. It was cloudy, but all the teams that were stationed there did their low shows. We were literally about 100 yards from the runway. Got to see my first F-117A, the Frecce Tricolor (Italy), a bunch of stunt teams, and of course, The Blue Angels. Since they were doing their low show, they did a flyby about 100 yards off the runway. The sounds were glorious, lol. There's pictures on my website...

[@The_Mad_King]

Every game I attend that the boys do a flyby is absolutely a delight 🫡 the crown goes wild and the goosebumps and chills flow🤣 believe me when I say we can feel the power of the jets you are flying

[@smarterthan98]

Blue Angels pilot has to be the best job in the world!!

[@allisonFLGirl515]

God bless the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, and all of our US Military. ❤❤❤

[@Zqud]

love Blue Angels. Haven't seen in quite some years. But as a kid growing up, we lived in VA beach, VA & we always went to the Oceana Air Shows and have seen em a number of times. Always loved it. Ive gotten a few models of the jets over the years as a memory type thing. Hope to one day experience it again

[@Skip8459]

I was there this past September for the NAS Oceana airshow. It had been cancelled the last two years due to Covid. And you could really tell that people missed it. The place was packed. It was a fantastic weekend!

[@GhostDrummer]

Thank you! I’ve been looking for this clip for years! I’ve searched all types of flyover videos and got nothing…I remember watching it on tv and just remember John M freaking out after the flyover.

[@caiusKeys]

Love the aviators studying their Madden and Summerall briefing photos at 3:09.

[@v12tommy]

A similar thing happened at the Indy 500 in 2019. There was a flyover consisting of a P-40 Warhawk, P-51 Mustang, A-10 Warthog, and F-16 Falcon. The flyover itself wasn't my favorite, and you could see the F-16 was struggling to go that slow. A couple minutes after that, the A-10 came roaring back over the crowd and proceeded to do a lap of the speedway, which is common for military helicopters to do on practice days as they leave from their visits, but this time the A-10 is doing it much faster. The crowd goes nuts. About when the A-10 gets halfway through the lap, the F-16 comes screaming back, doing the same thing, but REALLY hauling ass. In fact, as the A-10 gets done with its lap, the F-16 has to go vertical to avoid it, as it caught up to the slower A-10. I attend the race every year, and I don't think I've ever heard a louder cheer from the crowd than when those 2 planes lapped the track. I wish they'd do it every year.

[@coma13794]

Epic! Is there footage? I remember in the early 2000's at the Reno Air Races, a F/A-18 ran a lap of the track at around 550kts after the formal display was done. Absolutely trucking.

[@coma13794]

@v12tommy I found the footage from Reno, although it was shot on a literal potato: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX3LY2yPoLJ4pJo

[@v12tommy]

@@coma13794 2006, all most people had to film with were potatoes. I think I got my first GoPro that year, and was still filming with a Sony Handicam. Reno was awesome. I only got to go once, in 2004, but it was so cool while it lasted. I'm just bummed my niece and nephews will never get to experience it, and I'm glad I went back when you could still watch from the fence line and they'd get really close.

[@urfiredude0048]

Reading everyone's response is amazing. I hope that the Blue Angels do it again when they are at another city.

[@robertlafnear7034]

Thats was just so COOL. GO NAVY !

[@derekhinds7467]

I got to experience a fly over at an NFL game in September 2010 at the opening of the then brand new Metlife Stadium in New Jersey for the Giants v. Panthers game. I was sitting at the top of the stadium with a group of friends and I'll never forget the roar of the jet engines! It caught me off guard and I was in awe 😎🏈🛩✈️😊!

[@MareShoop]

“You don’t want to suppress the good ideas “ That’s a good boss right there

[@drdotter]

I had the pleasure to do a couple of ATC technical upgrades at both NAS Pensacola & NAF El Centro while the Blue Angles were there practicing. I grew up on AFBs so I got to see the Thunderbirds every year, too! It was always a thrill to watch them.

[@jamesbrown9736]

The first time I saw the Blues was in 1972 in Naples Fl. They were flying the F4. They only flew it for like 18 months if that before transitioning to the A4 due to fuel costs. It was a spectacular show. Little did I know that nine years later I would be working on the F4 in the Marines attached to the greatest squadron the Marine Corps had…..VMFA-451 the WARLORDS. OO-RAH SEMPER FI AND IYAOYAS. “Without Ordnance Its Just Another Airline.”

[@tft2003]

With all due respect the greatest squadron in Marine Corps history is VMA-214 "Black sheep". Pappy Boyington will back me up on this.

[@jamesbrown9736]

Were you a member of that squadron?

[@tft2003]

@@jamesbrown9736 Yes, in 1984 and 1985. We were based at MCAS El Toro and the A-4 was the squadron aircraft.

[@jerrilynhenson9024]

They were always a beautiful sight. Them and the Air Force Thunderbirds.

[@cjceredon1]

So electric!!! Love it when the jets flyover during football games.

[@topfuelfan]

Fly Navy ! Love the Blues 💪

[@deniseeulert2503]

In 1984 I was in San Diego at an airshow and the Blue Angels flew over. Wonderful but Oh so loud.

[@user-gh3xf8dv5l]

Great story! Loved it! I miss those two guys. Summerall and Madden were the best!

[@alanaldpal950]

Can not imagine turning down an offer to fly with the Blue Angels

[@94Whiskey]

Rightfully so! Blue Angels.....1997 MVP!!!

[@777vikingfan]

A surprise blessing by The Blue Angels!….totally positive and Amazing!!!

[@apwkastmaster2096]

Respect in so many ways!!

[@asanablue]

Yes they will make you proud. Greatest. Love our military.

[@eatshiy]

I have a Chrysler 300s redline pearlcoat and one of the Blue Angels said it was badass! Best compliment I've ever got!👍👍🇺🇲

[@thebronzetoo]

Awesome!! The Blues NEVER fail to impress!

[@elli003]

Full burners at Angels One. Never gets old. Thanks guys !

[@carlbehr4909]

Awesome story. Thanks for posting

[@johnconger6841]

Pat and John both are legends and also the Blues

[@freakyflow]

As a Canadian, One of the most impressive Things i seen in the sky was the Blue Angels as a kid I think in Battle creek Mich, And the love of flight took off.....I have sat in a Spitfire And P-51D. 50th birthday Flown in a Lancaster bomber Touched "FIFI" the B-29 Layed on the hood of the car watching Concorde fly over Landing in Toronto Watched the Snowbirds And the Blue Angels Toronto Island And ya they got me with the missing plane roar from behind ..Always a smile

[@kcbroncohater]

I miss them old boys.

[@garyradtke3252]

Cool historical story!

[@down2dab420]

RIP John,a legend gone but not forgotten