Quinn Ewers, a member of the Texas Longhorns football team, showed his political support for President-elect Donald Trump ahead of a crucial game against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff. Ewers arrived at the game wearing a navy blue suit with white pinstripes, a red tie, and a gold tie clip engraved with “Trump.” This show of support came after Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pa, with Ewers sharing a photo of Trump holding his fist in the air. Ewers continued to express his admiration for Trump on social media, sharing a graphic of Trump and JD Vance captioned “Legendary” on his Instagram story.
Despite facing backlash from some fans and fellow athletes, Trump has had support from various athletes since winning the presidential election. One memorable tribute saw players imitating Trump’s YMCA dance, and San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa faced a fine after wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat following a game in October. Trump has made appearances at sporting events, such as the Army-Navy game, where his attendance resulted in record-high viewership. Over 9 million people watched the game, where the Navy Midshipmen defeated the Army Black Knights 31-13. Trump has also attended NFL games and UFC events throughout the year.
In the game against Clemson, the Texas Longhorns took a commanding 28-10 lead at halftime, with the winner earning a spot in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State on New Year’s Day. Trump’s political support for a variety of sports events has generated significant media attention and drawn both criticism and praise from fans and athletes. Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency and personal conduct, Trump has maintained a strong presence in the world of sports and continues to garner support from some athletes.
Ewers’ decision to publicly support Trump before an important playoff game underscores the influence of politics in sports and the willingness of athletes to use their platform to express their beliefs. While Ewers faced criticism for his endorsement of Trump, it is clear that athletes like him are willing to take a stand for what they believe in, even if it means facing backlash from fans and the media. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it is likely that athletes will continue to use their platform to support causes and candidates they believe in, further blurring the line between sports and politics.
The clash between the Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff highlighted the intersection of sports and politics, with Ewers’ support for Trump serving as a prominent example of this dynamic. The game itself was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Ewers’ political affiliation, demonstrating the impact that athletes can have on the broader cultural conversation. As the debate over politics in sports rages on, it is clear that athletes like Ewers will continue to use their platform to express their beliefs, regardless of the consequences. The outcome of the game and Ewers’ support for Trump will undoubtedly be remembered as a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding sports, politics, and activism.
