Fox Sports analyst Jonathan Vilma has been criticised for trying to force a viral TikTok meme into his interview with Donald Trump.
On Sunday evening, American President Donald Trump attended the NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions at the Northwest Stadium.
Trump was there to take to commemorate the 'Salute to Service' initiative, a year-round NFL scheme to honour American veterans and their families.
The US president was a part of the halftime enlistment ceremony for incoming military members, but also took the time to speak with Fox Sports' Vilma and Kenny Albert about the match and American football in general.
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But the interview hasn't exactly gone down well with fans after Vilma appeared to try and make a 'cringe' joke referencing a viral meme while speaking about Trump's time playing American football.
While speaking to Trump, the 2004 Super Bowl winner asked him about his time playing as a tight end in high school football, something which Trump recalled fondly.
But while doing so, Vilma appeared to make two jokes referencing the '6-7' TikTok meme, with Trump completely unaware.
"How many touchdowns did you get? Six, seven..?" Vilma asked the US president.
But Trump ignored the joke as he admitted that he admitted that he probably didn't score any touchdowns at all.
Later in the interview, Vilma again reference the viral trend, saying: "But, see, that's how you could've played tight end, right? ... You definitely would've had like six, seven touchdowns there."
Although Vilma likely thought the jokes would have landed well with fans on social media, it appears that it's had the opposite impact as many have called the moment cringey and forced.
Reacting to the clip on X, one fan wrote: "Jonathan Vilma trying to make a “6-7” joke TWICE during an interview with the president was the cringiest thing ever."
While another added: "Jonathan Vilma gets the opportunity to have the president of the United States in the booth with him and what does he do with that opportunity? Makes constant 6-7 jokes."
With one even claiming: "Vilma is genuinely the worst commentator in sports."
What is the viral 6-7 meme?
The origin of the 6-7 meme has been a debate on social media since it first became popular, with some crediting a song recorded by drill rap artist Skrilla, in which the lyric '6-7' - said as 'six-seven' - is repeatedly used.
However, others have said that it comes from several NBA players quoting the lyric in interviews, with the trend heavily associated with basketball star LaMelo Ball, who stands at 6ft 7in tall.
Either way, the meme has become massively popular on social media, particularly among Gen-Z and other young users.
And Vilma isn't the first sports pundit to reference the meme, as former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio also made a 6-7 joke during the FA Cup first round draw in October.
Topics: Donald Trump, NFL, Tik Tok
Ben McCrum