Donald Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 9, 2025. The announcement of his plan to appear sparked heated discussions and criticism. Mike Freeman, a USA Today columnist, raised concerns that Trump, who he termed as “the most divisive president of our lifetime,” could disrupt the unity that the event traditionally symbolizes.
Trump’s engagement with the NFL has been multifaceted, particularly due to his prior condemnation of players who knelt during the national anthem, an act which prompted many of his followers to boycott the league.
In a related development, the NFL opted to replace its “End Racism” slogan in the end zones with “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us,” as part of its “Inspire Change” campaign. The league contends this amendment addressed recent national calamities, including the terror attack in New Orleans and wildfires in Los Angeles, California. However, some analysts associate it with Trump’s appearance. Internally, the decision was conveyed to senior employees, with at least one official expressing apprehension about the timing in light of Trump’s controversial remarks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, reiterated the league’s continuous commitment to diversity initiatives, highlighting their beneficial impact on the organization. He underscored that these efforts have produced significant outcomes and reflect the diverse composition of the league’s fan base, the communities it serves, and the players who form its teams.
Player reactions to Trump’s attendance were varied. Jordan Mailata, offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles, commented, “That’s cool, but Donald is not on that field,” while Drue Tranquill, linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, remarked that it would be “cool to have the president at the game.”
The president’s historic visit necessitated enhanced security measures for the event, which qualified as a National Special Security Event. Officials stated that there were no credible threats to the event. Trump has recently shown a growing interest in sports events, particularly in college football games.
Trump’s Super Bowl presence featured a pre-recorded interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. This is the first instance in three years that a U.S. president has participated in a pregame Super Bowl interview.
The event also drew other high-profile attendees, such as Taylor Swift, who was there to support Travis Kelce, her boyfriend and a star player for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Trump has recently expressed admiration for Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Chiefs, and Mahomes’ wife has publicly supported Trump on social media. The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles was Trump’s first Super Bowl attendance as president, despite his past association with professional football, including his failed attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills.