Former NFL Quarterback Dismisses Moon Landings as "Propaganda" During Artemis II Mission
The recent launch of the American Artemis II rocket, which is currently undertaking a ten-day orbital mission around the moon, has unexpectedly reignited decades-old conspiracy theories. Former University of Alabama quarterback and ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy used the occasion to publicly declare his belief that all lunar landings were fabricated.
Radio Show Remarks Cause Immediate Controversy
During a broadcast of his radio program, 'McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,' the ex-New York Jets quarterback casually remarked that 'we're going to the moon for the first time in human history.' This statement left his co-host, Cole Cubelic, and the entire studio team visibly stunned and perplexed.
Cole Cubelic responded with disbelief, asking directly, 'Do you honestly believe we've never been to the moon?' McElroy, who works as a college football analyst for ESPN, did not hesitate in his response, firmly stating, 'I honestly believe we never went to the moon.'
Doubling Down on Technological Doubts
When challenged by everyone else in the studio who maintained that moon landings did occur, McElroy intensified his position. 'There is a zero percent chance we went to the moon,' he insisted. 'Zero. Total, genuine propaganda.'
The former quarterback then elaborated on his reasoning, arguing that the technology required for the 1969 Apollo 11 mission simply did not exist at that time. 'All I'm saying is that we didn't go to the moon in 1969,' McElroy explained. 'We didn't have microwaves, but we can go to the moon? We didn't have color television. It has to do with technology.'
He further suggested that the political climate of the era cast doubt on the authenticity of the achievement, noting that 'the sitting American presidents of the time are not exactly known for being 100 percent honest.'
Historical Context and NASA's Response
The United States remains the only nation to have successfully landed humans on the lunar surface, accomplishing this feat six times between 1969 and 1972 through the Apollo program. The current Artemis II mission, while significant as America's first crewed lunar mission in decades, is specifically designed as an orbital flight and will not involve a moon landing.
NASA officials have consistently addressed such conspiracy theories with firm rebuttals. One NASA representative stated, 'To some extent, debating this subject is an insult to the thousands who worked for years to accomplish the most amazing feats of exploration in history. And it certainly is an insult to the memory of those who have given their lives for the exploration of space.'
The incident highlights how high-profile media personalities can inadvertently amplify baseless theories, even during coverage of legitimate scientific endeavors like the Artemis program. McElroy's comments have sparked widespread discussion online, with many criticizing his dismissal of well-documented historical achievements.
