LANDOVER, Md. — Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly a half-century to attend a regular-season NFL game, making an appearance at the Washington Commanders' 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium on Sunday.
There were loud boos from some spectators in the stands when Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half — standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson — and again when the president was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime.
Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field enlistment ceremony during the break in the game.
«I'm a little bit late,» Trump told reporters earlier when he got off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, following a flyover of Northwest Stadium during the game. He then got in his armored car for the drive to the stadium.
«We're gonna have a good game,» he said.
In the first quarter Sunday, before the president arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by pointing into the stands and moving his arms a la the «Trump dance» that several athletes began doing last year.
During the third quarter, Trump joined Fox broadcasters Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for about eight minutes of lighthearted chat. Albert opened by asking Trump about his time playing high school football at New York Military Academy.
«I played tight end, but it was not quite football like this. It was a little bit easier. It wasn't so tough,» Trump said.
Trump left before Sunday's game ended.
Only two other times did a president attend an NFL game during the regular season while in office, according to the league: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump became the first president
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