Sunday’s Detroit Lions–Washington Commanders matchup in Landover, Maryland, turned into more than just a football story — it marked a presidential first in nearly five decades. President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president since Jimmy Carter in 1978 to attend a regular-season NFL game.
The appearance took place during Washington’s annual “Salute to Service” event, which honors members of the U.S. military. While some fans cheered, not everyone in attendance welcomed the moment.
Videos circulating on social media showed sections of the crowd booing and even flipping off the screen when Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half.
During the third quarter, Trump joined Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for a brief on-air conversation as the Commanders’ offense moved down the field. He used the national stage to highlight what he described as strong economic progress under his administration.
“People have spirit. Our stock market hit an all-time high. Prices are coming down,” Trump said. “We inherited a mess, but things are improving fast. Over $17 trillion is being invested into our country — that’s a record. We’re doing great.”
The Lions ultimately came away with a 44–22 victory, continuing their impressive season.
After the game, some Detroit players were asked about the president’s visit. Head coach Dan Campbell, speaking with ESPN, said he hadn’t noticed the arrival in the moment.“I was too locked in on the game,” Campbell said. “But that’s cool — you’re talking about the president of the United States. That’s a big deal.”
