An Owensboro native had a front-row seat to one of the most iconic moments of Super Bowl LIX, helping execute the military flyover that electrified the skies above New Orleans. Maj. Matthew Hayden, a graduate of Owensboro Catholic High School, played a crucial role in the aerial display featuring MV-22 Ospreys and F-35 fighter jets.
Hayden serves with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774 based in New River, North Carolina, and was positioned on standby during the event, ready to step in if needed.
“Our squadron got tasked with supporting the Super Bowl, so we brought aircraft from both the East and West Coast reserve squadrons,” Hayden said. “We met up in New Orleans and spent a week practicing before the big event.”
The flyover itself featured two F-35s leading four Ospreys.
“You honestly just hope everything goes smoothly,” Hayden said. “Aviation is all about execution and precision, and we spent the week leading up to the game rehearsing and preparing.”
Despite the retractable roof on the Caesars Superdome, fans inside were able to watch recordings of the flyover on the stadium’s screens. The practice runs earlier in the week were filmed to ensure viewers could witness the spectacle.
For Hayden — who has served in the Marine Corps for nearly 19 years, 12 of them on active duty — the opportunity to be involved in such a high-profile event was a career highlight.
“It was one of the most awesome things I’ve been able to do since being in the Marine Corps,” he said. “It wasn’t overwhelming at the time because we had done so much rehearsing, but the reality of it all really sank in when we were recognized on the field during the third quarter.”
After completing their mission, Hayden and his fellow aviators were given a police escort to the stadium, where they were brought onto the field during a break in play. Though the moment didn’t make it onto the national broadcast, the in-stadium crowd gave them a loud ovation.
“I’ve never been to a Super Bowl before, and I probably won’t ever get to go again, but if you’re going to do it, that’s the way to do it,” Hayden said.
Though he didn’t get to meet any celebrities or dignitaries, he did see Serena Williams walk past as halftime performers exited the stage. The presence of President Donald Trump also made for a unique experience.
“With the President in town, security was intense,” Hayden said. “We even got to take pictures with the Presidential limo near our aircraft, which was pretty cool.”
Originally from Owensboro, Hayden now lives in North Carolina but said he will always consider Kentucky home.
“I’m proud to be from Owensboro and Daviess County,” he said. “For a kid from Western Kentucky, I never thought I’d be flying such an amazing aircraft with such a professional group of men and women. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
