Donald Trump became the first sitting US president in nearly 50 years to attend a regular-season NFL game when he dropped in on the Detroit Lions’ win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
There were boos from large sections of fans, as well as scattered cheers, at the Commanders’ Northwest Stadium when Trump was shown on the screens late in the first half – and again when the president was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime. The Washington DC area has strong Democratic support, while Trump’s cuts to the government have affected many workers in the vicinity of the Commanders’ stadium. Sunday was not the first time Trump has received a hostile reception from a Washington sports crowd: he was greeted with ‘lock him up’ chants at the Washington Nationals’ home stadium during the 2019 World Series.
The jeering continued while Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field ceremony during a break in the game.
The president arrived at the stadium after the game had started. “I’m a little bit late,” Trump told reporters when he got off Air Force One. The plane had earlier completed a flyover of Northwest Stadium before landing.
“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,” he said, a reference to the government shutdown.
In the first quarter Lions receiver Amon-Ra St Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by doing the “Trump dance”, which athletes started performing last year.
“I heard Trump was going to be [here],” St Brown said. “I don’t know how many times the president’s going to be at the game, so just decided to have some fun.”
Lions quarterback Jared Goff said he had enjoyed seeing Air Force One’s flyover. “Awesome that he was here,” Goff said.
Fox then gave the president nearly 10 minutes of airtime as he joined the broadcast booth, spoke about his high school football career and called some of the action in the third quarter. Asked how he thought the country was doing, the president answered somewhat dubiously that prices are going down for Americans. He also admitted he had not scored any touchdowns in high school, saying: “At least you realize I never tell a lie.”
Trump is just the third sitting president to attend an NFL game during the regular season, according to the league, after Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978.
According to a report by ESPN on Saturday, the White House has told the Commanders’ ownership group that Trump wants the team’s new stadium to bear his name.
“They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in, we’re getting all the approvals and everything else,” Trump said during his Fox appearance. “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 appearances at sporting events by Trump, including the Ryder Cup, the Daytona 500 and the men’s final at tennis’s US Open.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” Commanders president Mark Clouse said. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”
Trump was presumably unimpressed with the Commanders’ performance as they went down to a 44-22 defeat – he left the game early.
