President Trump made history on Sunday by becoming the first sitting president in nearly half a century to attend a regular-season NFL game. He watched part of the Washington Commanders’ matchup against the Detroit Lions, marking a notable moment for both the league and the White House.
As Mr. Trump appeared on the stadium’s videoboard late in the first half, some spectators responded with loud boos. He was shown standing in a suite alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The jeering continued when the stadium announcer introduced the president at halftime, and again during an on-field military enlistment ceremony, where Mr. Trump read an oath for new recruits.
Arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Mr. Trump told reporters, “I’m a little bit late,” referring to his delayed arrival after flying over Northwest Stadium during the game. He then rode in his armored car to the arena, commenting, “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well. The Democrats have to open it up,” alluding to the ongoing government shutdown.
On the same day, the Senate prepared to vote on a funding package aimed at ending the shutdown. CBS News reported that an agreement had been reached securing enough Senate Democrats’ support to extend government funding through the end of January. If the measure passes in the Senate, it will return to the House for approval. Later Sunday, Mr. Trump told reporters, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending. You’ll know very soon.”
Earlier in the game, before the president’s arrival, Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown by mimicking the “Trump dance” that several athletes popularized last year, pointing toward the stands and moving his arms.
During the third quarter, Mr. Trump joined Fox broadcasters Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for about eight minutes of lighthearted conversation. Albert asked Mr. Trump about his high school football days at the New York Military Academy.
“I played tight end, but it was not quite football like this,” Mr. Trump said. “It was a little bit easier. It wasn’t so tough.”
Mr. Trump left the game before it ended. According to the NFL, only two other presidents have attended regular-season NFL games while in office: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Mr. Trump previously made history as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, watching the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.
In related news, ESPN reported on Saturday that a White House intermediary informed the Commanders’ ownership group that Mr. Trump wants the club’s planned new stadium—part of a nearly $4 billion development on the site of the former RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.—to bear his name.
Speaking during Sunday’s broadcast, Mr. Trump commented on the team’s stadium plans: “They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in, we’re getting all the approvals and everything else. And you have a wonderful owner, Josh [Harris] and his group. And you’re going to see some very good things.”
Sunday’s visit was the latest in a series of high-profile sports appearances by Mr. Trump, which have included golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500, and tennis’ U.S. Open. Reflecting on sports during the broadcast, he said, “I just love it. It’s a microcosm of life. It’s sort of like life—the good, the bad and the ugly.”
Before the game, Defense Secretary Hegseth spoke with Josh Harris, the leader of the group that purchased the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for about $6 billion in 2023. Harris also participated in an on-field ceremony with military members. Alongside Mr. Trump, Hegseth watched the game with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana.
The relationship between Mr. Trump and the NFL has been tense at times. During his first presidential term, he strongly opposed players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice—a movement that began in 2016 with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Mr. Trump insisted that players should stand for the anthem and urged team owners to fire anyone who took a knee.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-washington-commanders-detroit-lions/
