Aidan Hutchinson Blasts Elon Musk’s Cowboys-Lions Take, Urges NFL Fans to Delete X App Over “Garbage” Posts

In a bizarre twist of off-field NFL drama, Detroit Lions defensive star Aidan Hutchinson has taken a bold and unexpected stance against tech mogul Elon Musk, urging fans to delete the X app (formerly Twitter) after Musk made controversial remarks comparing the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. The typically composed Hutchinson didn’t mince words when responding to the billionaire’s post, branding Musk’s commentary as “garbage” and sparking a firestorm of debate across sports and tech communities.

The entire ordeal began when Musk, the world-famous CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, posted on his social media platform X, weighing in on the upcoming NFL season with an unsolicited hot take: “Cowboys are America’s Team. Always have been. Lions hype is cute, but let’s be real—they’re not built for January.” The post, typical of Musk’s attention-grabbing style, immediately drew thousands of replies and reactions, many of them critical from Detroit Lions fans and NFL observers who believe the Lions are building something special after years of irrelevance.

However, it was Aidan Hutchinson’s response that escalated the situation to another level. Within hours of Musk’s post gaining traction, Hutchinson dropped a blunt and scathing reply: “Delete this app. Not even about the Cowboys or Lions anymore. This app. Garbage.” He followed up minutes later with another post, more direct and explicit in his opinion: “Elon doesn’t speak for the NFL. And honestly, if this is what X is becoming, y’all better just get off it.”

The second-year defensive end, who has rapidly become not only a star on the field but also a voice of confidence for the Lions’ new identity, seemed to tap into a growing sentiment among many players: frustration with the tone and direction of conversation on the app. While athletes have long dealt with trolls and critics online, Hutchinson’s attack on Musk himself—who owns and runs the very platform—is unprecedented.

Hutchinson’s comments instantly went viral, receiving a mixture of praise, confusion, and backlash. Detroit fans largely rallied behind their player, sharing the post across Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok, turning Hutchinson into an unlikely champion of the “anti-X” movement. One viral comment read: “Hutchinson 99 on the field and a 100 for calling out the nonsense. Elon getting cooked by a DE? Iconic.”

The Cowboys-Lions debate is not new, but Musk’s influence—amplified by his position as owner of X—has changed the landscape. His initial post, though casual, seemed to carry an air of dismissiveness toward Detroit’s recent rise. The Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff, have emerged as one of the NFC’s most dangerous teams. After decades of underachievement, they won the NFC North and reached the NFC Championship Game last season, falling just short of the Super Bowl. Their physical style, grit, and rising young core—anchored by players like Hutchinson—has flipped their reputation from a perennial punchline to a feared opponent.

Dallas, by contrast, remains a polarizing team. Despite their historical stature and deep fanbase, the Cowboys have failed to reach a conference title game in nearly three decades. Musk’s “America’s Team” post felt like a swipe at every team chasing relevance in the modern era—particularly a Lions squad many believe is on the cusp of taking over the NFC.

To be clear, this isn’t the first time Musk’s social media commentary has caused a stir. From posting memes during geopolitical conflicts to wading into debates on artificial intelligence and the First Amendment, Musk has made X a platform as unpredictable as he is. But this is one of the rare instances where a prominent NFL player has directly called him out, challenging not only his opinion but also the entire platform’s legitimacy.

Reporters asked Hutchinson about the post during a press availability following voluntary OTAs. Calm but firm, Hutchinson stood by his remarks. “Look, I’m all for people having opinions. But when you’re in that kind of position, with that kind of reach, and you just throw out stuff that disrespects what teams like us have built—yeah, I’m gonna say something,” he said. “This league’s about earning respect, not just throwing labels around like we’re a sideshow.”

He also added a note of caution about the broader implications of social media. “I don’t care who owns the app. When the content is this low-level, and people are just trying to bait fans into fighting, maybe we should all log off for a bit. Real football isn’t played in 280 characters.”

While Hutchinson’s criticism gained traction with fans and even a few fellow players, not everyone agreed. Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons took to X to post a cryptic response: “Some folks mad at the truth. History don’t lie.” Meanwhile, former NFL receiver Dez Bryant chimed in, suggesting that the backlash against Musk was overblown and that “this league been soft lately.”

Yet behind the noise lies a more significant issue: players are increasingly disillusioned with the state of discourse on X. Several current and former athletes, including Tyreek Hill and J.J. Watt, have recently spoken about either reducing their social media use or leaving the platform entirely due to rising negativity, misinformation, or harassment.

The fact that this latest moment centers around Elon Musk, a non-football figure with a polarizing global profile, only intensifies the debate. Musk’s ownership of X has been marked by sweeping changes, including the gutting of moderation teams, increased promotion of controversial accounts, and the promotion of a subscription-based visibility model. For athletes who already feel scrutinized and misrepresented, it adds another layer of concern.

There’s also an irony in how Musk’s own brand—one built on innovation and disruption—is now clashing with the culture of a professional league that thrives on discipline, teamwork, and focus. Hutchinson, as the face of a franchise hungry for respect, seems to represent that cultural contrast in full.

By urging fans to leave the app entirely, Hutchinson isn’t just pushing back on a single post. He’s questioning the entire structure of digital fan engagement. It’s a bold move for a young player, especially in a league that increasingly encourages athletes to build their own brands through platforms like X. But for Hutchinson, authenticity seems to matter more than algorithms.

Whether his comments spark a real shift away from X among NFL fans remains to be seen. The app remains deeply embedded in sports culture—from instant updates to highlight sharing and hot takes. But Hutchinson’s defiance feels different, and his words hit a nerve at a time when athletes are questioning the cost of constant digital exposure.

Detroit, for its part, is standing by its star. A team spokesperson declined to comment officially on the Musk remarks but did note, “Aidan represents the intensity, pride, and conviction of this organization and this city.”

Musk has yet to respond to Hutchinson directly. His original Cowboys-Lions post remains up, though the replies have turned into a digital brawl between Detroit fans, Dallas loyalists, and Musk defenders. As the situation continues to play out, it raises deeper questions about the future of fan-player interaction, especially on a platform whose leader is increasingly viewed as a provocateur rather than a facilitator.

For now, Hutchinson is back to training, gearing up for a season where expectations in Detroit have never been higher. But his message lingers, more than a soundbite or viral tweet. In the noise of the NFL’s offseason, his words cut through with an intensity not unlike his play on Sundays.

“This app. Garbage.” It wasn’t just a clapback. It was a statement—and maybe even a warning.