Donald Trump Booed at NFL Game — First Sitting US President to Attend Since 1978
<p>US President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> made history on Sunday by becoming the <strong>first sitting American president in nearly five decades</strong> to attend a regular-season <strong>NFL game</strong>. The occasion, however, was not without controversy — as the president was greeted by a wave of <strong>boos and jeers</strong> when shown on the stadium’s videoboard during the Washington Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions.</p><p>The appearance at <strong>Northwest Stadium</strong> (formerly FedEx Field) marked a rare presidential visit to an NFL matchup, the first since <strong>Jimmy Carter in 1978</strong>. Trump attended the game alongside <strong>House Speaker Mike Johnson</strong>, appearing in a private suite during the first half of the contest.</p><h3><strong>Boos from the Stands and a Mixed Reception</strong></h3><p>As cameras panned to Trump late in the first half, sections of the crowd erupted in <strong>boos</strong>, while others stood to cheer. The loud jeering continued when the <strong>stadium announcer formally introduced the president at halftime</strong>, moments before Trump took part in a <strong>military enlistment ceremony</strong> on the field.</p><p>Standing alongside military officers, Trump read aloud an <strong>oath of service</strong> as new recruits recited it back — but the crowd noise didn’t subside. Boos echoed through the arena even as the patriotic ceremony unfolded, highlighting the deeply divided nature of American politics, even in sports arenas.</p><p>Before arriving at the game, Trump briefly addressed reporters after stepping off <strong>Air Force One</strong> at <strong>Joint Base Andrews</strong>, having flown over the stadium mid-game.</p><p>“I’m a little bit late,” he joked, before adding, “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,” referring to the ongoing <strong>government shutdown</strong>.</p><h3><strong>A Presidential Appearance Amid Football and Politics</strong></h3><p>Once inside the stadium, Trump seemed at ease, smiling and waving to fans as cameras followed his every move. During the third quarter, he joined <strong>Fox Sports commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma</strong> for a light-hearted <strong>on-air conversation</strong> that lasted about eight minutes.</p><p>When asked about his own football experience, Trump recalled his days at <strong>New York Military Academy</strong>, saying:</p><blockquote><p>“I played tight end, but it was not quite football like this. It was a little bit easier — not so tough.”</p></blockquote><p>The Commanders-Lions game, which ended in a <strong>40–22 win for Detroit</strong>, featured several light moments connected to the president’s visit. In the first quarter, Lions star <strong>Amon-Ra St. Brown</strong> celebrated a touchdown by performing the popular “<strong>Trump Dance</strong>” gesture — a meme-inspired move that gained popularity among athletes last year.</p><h3><strong>Historic Context: Only the Third President to Attend a Regular-Season NFL Game</strong></h3><p>According to the <strong>NFL’s official records</strong>, only two sitting presidents have previously attended a regular-season game: <strong>Richard Nixon</strong> in 1969 and <strong>Jimmy Carter</strong> in 1978.</p><p>Trump’s visit follows his earlier appearance at <strong>Super Bowl LIX</strong> in February 2025, where he became the <strong>first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl</strong>. He watched as the <strong>Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22</strong>, a game he later described as “one of the best Super Bowls ever played.”</p><h3><strong>Trump’s NFL Legacy and Stadium Ambitions</strong></h3><p>Trump’s relationship with the NFL has been historically complex. During his first term, he publicly <strong>criticized players for kneeling</strong> during the national anthem to protest racial injustice — a movement led by <strong>Colin Kaepernick</strong> in 2016. Trump often said that athletes should “stand for the flag” and once urged team owners to “fire anyone who disrespects the anthem.”</p><p>However, his return to the NFL spotlight as president has drawn renewed attention — not only for his political visibility but also for his reported interest in <strong>naming rights</strong> to the Commanders’ planned new stadium.</p><p>According to <strong>ESPN</strong>, an intermediary for the White House has informed the team’s ownership group that Trump is <strong>interested in having the new Washington stadium named after him</strong>. The proposed <strong>$4 billion sports complex</strong> is expected to be built at the site of the old <strong>RFK Stadium</strong> in the nation’s capital.</p><p>During Sunday’s broadcast, Trump spoke briefly about the project, saying:</p><blockquote><p>“They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in — getting all the approvals and everything else. And you have a wonderful owner, Josh Harris, and his group. You’re going to see some very good things.”</p></blockquote><h3><strong>Trump’s Recent Sports Appearances</strong></h3><p>Sunday’s NFL outing was the latest in a string of <strong>high-profile sporting appearances</strong> by President Trump in recent months. He has been seen at events like the <strong>Ryder Cup</strong>, <strong>Daytona 500</strong>, and the <strong>US Open tennis tournament</strong>, often using these appearances to engage with fans and highlight American culture.</p><p>“I just love sports,” Trump said during the Fox broadcast. “It’s a microcosm of life — the good, the bad, and the ugly.”</p><p>As he left the stadium following the Commanders’ loss, reactions remained split. For some, it was a symbolic presidential moment — for others, a reminder of how politics now echoes through every corner of American life, even on the football field.</p>