Troy Aikman struggled to hold back tears on live television Monday night. During the fourth quarter of the Cowboys-Eagles game on Monday Night Football, Aikman and play-by-play partner Joe Buck paused to honor their longtime colleague and friend David Moulton, who died last week after a long battle with cancer.
The emotional moment quickly spread on social media, sending searches for "Troy Aikman Monday Night Football emotion" and "David Moulton obituary" climbing on Google.
An Emotional Moment in the Booth
The tribute came during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on a night when the Dallas Cowboys went on to beat the Eagles 38-21 in the final game of Week 7. For a few moments, though, the score did not matter. Buck spoke first, saying Moulton "will not be replaced in this booth."
"No, he will not," Aikman replied, visibly fighting back tears. He described Moulton as "just a good man" who "left a hole in a lot of people's hearts."
Aikman also shared a written tribute, calling Moulton "loyal, dependable and a warrior until the very end," and closing with: "Rest in peace, big guy."
Who Was David Moulton?
Moulton was a familiar presence behind the scenes of some of the biggest broadcasts in sports. For years he sat alongside Buck and Aikman in the booth, and Aikman called him his "right-hand man in the broadcast booth." Buck also relied on Moulton during their years together at FOX, including on golf coverage.
Moulton's work extended well beyond the NFL:
- He worked as a spotter for Gary Danielson on SEC college football broadcasts.
- He co-hosted the "Miller and Moulton" show on ESPN Radio, beginning in 2006.
- He stepped away from the radio show about two months before his death because of his health.
David Moulton's Cancer Battle
Moulton's wife, Julie, announced his death in a statement on Saturday. She said he died in hospice care at the Douglas Center for Caring after battling stage four renal cell cancer for six years. The cancer had spread to his bones two years earlier. SI reported that he was 59.
Why the Moment Resonated
Broadcast booths rely on people viewers never see, from spotters and statisticians to producers, and Moulton was one of the most trusted of them. Monday's tribute gave fans a rare look at how much those behind-the-scenes partners mean to the voices they hear every week.
For Aikman and Buck, who have called games together for more than two decades, Moulton was part of the team long before they moved to ESPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Troy Aikman crying on Monday Night Football?
He became emotional while honoring longtime broadcast colleague David Moulton, who died after a six-year battle with cancer.
Who was David Moulton?
A longtime broadcast partner of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, an SEC spotter and co-host of ESPN Radio's "Miller and Moulton" show.
How did David Moulton die?
His wife said he died in hospice care from stage four renal cell cancer.