Trump and Air Force One buzzed a stadium of 100,000 fans and the reaction was instant

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE: By the time Saturday, September 26's Texas-Tennessee clash was about to get underway, Neyland Stadium was already buzzing with anticipation.

Thousands of fans had taken their seats as the teams went through their warmups, while attention was also focused on President Donald Trump’s expected appearance at the Knoxville venue.

But the pregame atmosphere changed in an instant when spectators began turning away from the field and toward the sky.

An aircraft was approaching overhead, setting up an unexpected spectacle before kickoff.

Air Force One roars over Neyland Stadium

Trump’s Air Force One made a low pass over Neyland Stadium shortly before noon as the president arrived in Knoxville for the Texas Longhorns-Tennessee Volunteers game.

The aircraft flew over the venue as players continued their pregame warmups, catching the attention of spectators in the stands.

It then headed to McGhee Tyson Airport, where Trump landed at around 11.28 am, just before kickoff.

Neyland, which can accommodate more than 100,000 spectators, was already packed with fans for one of the most anticipated matchups of the college football weekend.

Tennessee had encouraged fans to enter early because of heightened security surrounding the president's visit, and the stands were filling well ahead of the game.

Videos circulating online show fans erupting in loud cheers as the president’s Air Force One makes a low flyover over the stadium.

Air Force One's appearance was not the military flyover already scheduled for the game.

A separate aerial display was planned for the national anthem shortly before kickoff, featuring two F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft.

Trump watched the first half from a suite alongside Tennessee Sens Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.

The president was later shown on the stadium's giant video board, drawing a loud response from spectators.

Trump has done this before

Trump has repeatedly spoken about military aircraft and stadium flyovers with a level of enthusiasm that goes beyond simply watching them as part of a sporting event.

In June, while speaking at the unveiling of the new Air Force One, he recalled an earlier flight to a national championship game when he asked the pilot to “buzz the stadium.”

Trump said the aircraft went lower than he expected and even made a small dip, prompting his surprised reaction.

He also used the June appearance to discuss plans for a large July 4 flyover, specifically mentioning F-22s and other military aircraft and saying he wanted a display unlike previous flyovers.

His comments also highlighted his interest in the pilots themselves, describing presidential pilots as the best because of the responsibility involved in flying the president.