The Alliance of American Football is a fledgling sports league trying to grow in an area where the National Football League has absolutely dominated for the last several decades.

Nobody expects a league trying to do what the AAF is attempting to become appointment television overnight, but the image of success vs. struggle can be vital in the league’s first few years. So, it’s probably not great when an analyst covering the league is caught saying, “Nobody’s watching, nobody cares,” on television. Unless they have a really good reason.

Rod Woodson and the AAF have a regrettable hot mic moment

Hall of Fame safety Rod Woodson had some explaining to do after he was apparently caught mocking the AAF’s ratings and relevancy when a broadcast got its wires crossed on Saturday.

Marvin Lewis and AAF crew joking about Christian Hackenberg's completion percentage and Rod Woodson follows up with "nobody's watching" lol pic.twitter.com/iSAtj1fGDL — AAF Reddit (@AAF_Reddit) February 23, 2019

A transcript of the exchange, via Deadspin:

Lewis: “Before we get there. Hack….Hack’s about 50 percent [laughs]” Flanagan: “[inaudible] say that on TV coach, I got you. We’re not on TV, we’re on Bleacher Report. It’s different.” Woodson: “Ahh nobody’s watching, nobody cares, no one’s listening.”

A strikingly similar comment was captured on a similar broadcast, with “Nobody’s watching, nobody’s listening, nobody cares.”

@TheAAF just left a mic open on their broadcast. Quote "nobody's watching, nobody's listening, nobody cares". Oops. pic.twitter.com/o5uofGGMqa — David Berrisford (@berrisforce) February 23, 2019

Taken separately, those comments are mortifying for both the league and analysts. However, Woodson and his co-host Alex Flanagan had a pretty convincing story for how those words reached the microphone in the aftermath of the incident.

Rod Woodson: Hot mics can ‘miscapture a moment’

The way Woodson explains it, the three phrases are a mantra for broadcasters to basically forget about the thousands or millions of people watching them speak (and possibly post their lowlights on Twitter).

Hot mics can sure miscapture a moment. A mantra. That’s what that was. @alex_flanagan & I both know viewership for AAF games is exceeding all expectations. I’m watching Memphis at Orlando right now. I hear Coach Spurrier is mic’d up, too!🎙 https://t.co/s55qZjt8Um — Rod Woodson (@RodWoodson26) February 24, 2019

11 PHOTOS Scenes from AAF opening weekend See Gallery Scenes from AAF opening weekend SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 09: Kenneth Farrow II #20 of the San Antonio Commanders scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Fleet in an Alliance of American Football game at the Alamodome on February 09, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/AAF/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Austin Appleby #5 of Orlando Apollos scrambles with the ball against Brandon Watts #58 of Atlanta Legends during the fourth quarter on February 09, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Apollos defeated the Legends 40-6. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/AAF/Getty Images) BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 10: Rajion Neal #34 of Memphis Express is brought down by Jonathan Massaquoi #57 of Birmingham Iron during an Alliance of American Football game at Legion Field on February 10, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/AAF/Getty Images) TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Jhurell Pressley #26 of the Arizona Hotshots scores a touchdown behind Will Davis#26 of the Salt Lake Stallions during the second half of the Alliance of American Football game at Sun Devil Stadium on February 10, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/AAF/Getty Images) BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 10: Water is dumped on head coach Tim Lewis of Birmingham Iron following a victory over the Memphis Express during an Alliance of American Football game at Legion Field on February 10, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/AAF/Getty Images) TEMPE, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Branden Oliver #81 of the Arizona Hotshots carries the ball during the second half of the Alliance of American Football game against the Salt Lake Stallions at Sun Devil Stadium on February 10, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/AAF/Getty Images) SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 09: Kenneth Farrow II #20 of the San Antonio Commanders celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Fleet in an Alliance of American Football game at the Alamodome on February 09, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/AAF/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Charles Johnson #12 of the Orlando Apollos misses a pass attempt against Desmond Lawrence #23 of Atlanta Legends during the first quarter on February 09, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/AAF/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Jalin Marshall #17 of Orlando Apollos scores a second quarter touchdown reception against Carlos Merritt #20 and Quincy Mauger #42 of Atlanta Legends on February 09, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. This is the first touchdown in AAF history. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/AAF/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Will Hill III #33 of Orlando Apollos takes the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Legends on February 09, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/AAF/Getty Images) BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 10: Quinton Patton #11 of the Birmingham Iron takes the field during an Alliance of American Football game against the Memphis Express at Legion Field on February 10, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Images) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

That backs up Flanagan’s earlier story in which she explained that Woodson was merely repeating the mantra she had learned earlier in her career. Flanagan said Woodson was joking with her and lamenting the criticism being thrown he co-worker’s way.

In @TheAAF studios today telling Marvin Lewis a story of being young anchor at WSFA. To ease my nerves sports anchor Jeff Shearer would tell me “no one’s watching, no one cares, no one listens”. @RodWoodson26 laughed, said it back. that was aired & totally taken out of context. — Alex Flanagan (@Alex_Flanagan) February 23, 2019

Rod was laughing at the ridiculousness of me saying that, but I explained it helped me not get nervous if I didn’t worry what people watching might think. I feel horrible Rod is getting nasty tweets. — Alex Flanagan (@Alex_Flanagan) February 23, 2019

That story seems to track, especially since the same phrase was captured at two separate sources. Of course, it does say something about the AAF broadcast that two moments like this were caught on the same day, but at least those mistakes don’t indicate the league’s analysts secretly think their ratings are awful.

Some people are watching AAF games

Woodson’s comments appeared especially perplexing on the surface because, well, some people actually are watching, and listening, and possibly caring about the AAF.

The league debuted two weeks ago on CBS and reportedly beat a Rockets-Thunder NBA matchup on ABC, scoring a 2.1 overnight rating. Ratings weren’t so good the second day, but there has been plenty of positive buzz surrounding the league’s rollout.

From Yahoo Finance:

The AAF’s mobile app became the No. 1 sports app in the iOS store, the league quickly amassed more than 200,000 followers on Twitter and Instagram, and ESPN showed highlights from Saturday night’s games on SportsCenter.

The AAF has had its struggles and will certainly continue to have them going forward, but everything seems to be going as well as could be reasonably expected. Outside of a broadcast issue or two, obviously.

More from Yahoo Sports:

• Panthers’ Reid rips ‘false narratives’ about Kaepernick

• Sohi: DeRozan loves and loses again in Toronto return

• Sources: Warriors’ Green close to hiring LeBron’s agent

• Report: Harper meeting with Phillies owner in Las Vegas











More from :

Hines Ward again slams Steelers, questions Ben Roethlisberger's leadership skills

Steelers GM: Three teams have reached out about Antonio Brown trade

Big news for Patriots, as Devin McCourty says he'll be back for 2019 season