ESPN analyst Troy Aikman gave an unexpected shoutout to a family member of a Los Angeles Rams player during Monday Night Football in Week 17.
The moment came after Rams linebacker Nate Landman forced an incompletion from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, a play that clearly caught Aikman’s attention. While breaking it down, Aikman praised both Landman’s performance and his name, tying it to a popular Paramount+ series.
“He likes being called Landman. Great show, great linebacker, great name. I mean, it just all ties together,” Aikman said.
He then added an amusing twist by bringing up Landman’s sister and her fittingly ironic name. “The interesting thing—guess what his sister’s name is? Ocean Landman, and she was a swimmer at Oregon State. So there you go.”
Ocean Landman responds to Troy Aikman on Instagram
Ocean Landman, a fitness influencer with more than 13,900 Instagram followers, was watching the Rams–Falcons game Monday night and quickly reacted to the shoutout on social media.
“When @troyaikman gives you a shoutout on Monday night football,” she wrote on her Instagram Story.
Nate Landman having strong season
The spotlight came during a strong season for Nate Landman, who signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension in November. He has totaled 129 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, a mark that is tied for second in the NFL.
Despite Landman’s production, the Rams fell to the Falcons, 7–9, after digging themselves into a 21–0 hole. Combined with last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the defeat ended Los Angeles’ hopes of securing the No. 1 seed and the NFC West title, while quarterback Matthew Stafford’s MVP case also took a hit.
The Rams (11–5) will close out the regular season Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Sean McVay said the starters will play, making it the team’s final tune-up before the playoffs begin.