President Donald Trump became the first sitting president in almost half a century to attend a regular-season NFL game Sunday, watching part of the Washington Commanders’ matchup with the Detroit Lions in Landover, Maryland.
Trump arrived during the first half after landing at Joint Base Andrews, telling reporters he was “a little bit late” but eager for “a good game.” He watched from a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Loud boos erupted from the crowd when Trump was shown on the videoboard and again when he was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime.
The jeers continued as Trump led an Oath of Enlistment ceremony on the field, joined by Hegseth, as new members of the military repeated the pledge. During the third quarter, he appeared in the broadcast booth for a brief, lighthearted interview, recalling his time playing tight end at New York Military Academy and joking that football was “a little easier” back then.
Trump left before the game ended. The Lions won, though his visit drew more attention than the outcome. Only two other presidents — Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978 — have attended regular-season NFL games while in office.
The appearance came as Congress moved closer to ending a government shutdown. Trump told reporters Sunday night, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending.” The Senate later advanced a bill toward reopening the government.
Trump also commented on the Commanders’ future stadium, hinting at involvement in the approval process for a proposed $4 billion project at the old RFK Stadium site. ESPN reported Saturday that an intermediary for the White House told team ownership the president wants the new venue to bear his name.
Source: CBS Sports