Donald Trump made history as the first sitting president since 1978 to attend a regular-season NFL game, making a dramatic entrance by flying over Northwest Stadium before catching the matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders.
In a spectacular display, Air Force One soared low over the Maryland stadium, located just outside Washington, D.C., during the game’s first quarter. The President himself was captivated by the impressive scene unfolding beneath him.
Upon disembarking, Trump expressed his amazement, stating, “I just want to say… was that the greatest flyover ever? Nobody’s ever done a flyover like that! They say whoever flies Air Force One, they’re the best pilots. And we just saw that.”
Trump’s appearance at the game coincided with reports that he hopes the Washington team’s new $3.7 billion stadium will bear his name. His visit also marked the team’s participation in the NFL’s ‘Salute to Service’ day, an initiative honoring veterans ahead of Veterans Day on November 11.
During the third quarter, Trump joined commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma in the broadcast booth to share his insights on the game.
Unfortunately for President Trump, he witnessed a lopsided contest. The Lions surged to a commanding 25-10 lead by halftime, while the Commanders struggled without their star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, who was sidelined due to a dislocated elbow suffered the previous week.
But while it was Detroit bringing the action on the field, there were plenty of football fans who thought the best moment came from the sky in the first half.
Donald Trump flew over Lions vs Commanders on Air Force One on Sunday afternoon
The view from Air Force One, which Trump said was one of the best flyovers ever
Trump pictured after touching down following the stunning flyover in Washington
Heavily armed law enforcement stand guard on the sideline before kickoff in Washington DC
The plane flew low over Northwest Stadium during the first quarter of Commanders vs Lions
‘People have no idea how huge Air Force One is, this must have been incredible,’ one fan wrote in response to the footage on social media.
Another wrote: ‘Epic display of patriotism and a reminder of what true leadership looks like. Flyover was a perfect tribute to the brave folks serving our country.’
Trump took his seat for the game with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
According to a report by ESPN on Saturday, an intermediary for the White House has told the Commanders´ ownership group that Trump wants the club’s new stadium to bear his name.
Under a deal announced in April between the team and the District of Columbia, the team will return to the nation’s capital in a new stadium expected to cost nearly $4bn.
It will be built on the site of the RFK Stadium, where the team played for more than three decades when it won three Super Bowls in the 1980s and 1990s.
‘That would surely be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,’ said Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the Republican president.
In July, Trump threatened to hold up the deal by insisting that the team change its name from the Commanders back to the Redskins, a name that was considered offensive to Native Americans.
Trump took his seat in the stadium shortly before the halftime interval at the game
Trump waves to the fans in the stadium who were trying to get a glimpse of the president
Trump has long enjoyed having his name appear on things from his career as a real estate developer, from high-rise buildings, hotels and golf courses to his branding deals that have seen Trump-emblazoned Bibles, watches and cologne.
As Trump boarded Air Force One in West Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon after a morning golfing in Florida, extra security measures were put in place hours before kick off at Northwest Stadium.
Officers in black secret uniforms identifying them as members of the Secret Service joined military, police and other guards inside and outside Northwest Stadium. There were more fences than usual blocking sidewalks and some pathways were restricted.
Only two other times did a president go to 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 to go to a Super Bowl while in the White House when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.
Sunday’s visit to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, would be the latest in a series of high-profile appearances at sporting events by Trump, including golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500 and tennis’ US Open.
Defense secretary Pete Hegseth was seen chatting with officials while waiting for Trump
Trump was seen boarding Air Force One earlier on Sunday as he headed for Washington DC
A fan is frisked by security guards as measures were ramped up with Trump in attendance
Security was tight at Northwest Stadium with officers from various agencies on patrol
‘We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,’ Commanders club president Mark Clouse said.
‘The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.’
There was friction between Trump and the NFL during his first presidential term, when he objected to players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social or racial injustice. That movement began in 2016 with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Via social media and other public comments, Trump insisted that players should stand for the national anthem and called on team owners to fire anyone taking a knee.
