Donald Trump’s relationship with American football is notably multifaceted. While he played high school football, his business career saw him own the New Jersey Generals in the USFL, even suing the NFL in the 1980s for a merger. As president, he became infamous for criticising players who knelt during the anthem as part of racial justice protests, igniting widespread debate.
Trump made history by attending the Super Bowl, becoming the first sitting president to do so, coinciding with significant changes in the NFL. The league recently removed “End Racism” slogans from the end zones, a decision some critics believe aligns with Trump’s recent cancellation of federal diversity programs. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asserted that the league’s diversity efforts remain unchanged despite Trump’s policies.
In a curious twist, Trump has refrained from endorsing a team for the evening’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, although he has previously praised Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Interestingly, pop star Taylor Swift, a critic of Trump, will also be present, exacerbating the complexities surrounding Trump’s attendance.
As controversies unfold, including the NFL’s choice to replace slogans with “Choose Love,” Trump’s attendance highlights the intersection of politics, activism, and sports in contemporary America. It reflects the polarising nature of football in the political landscape, making Trump’s history with the sport even more complicated.