On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump, often seen as one of the most sports-savvy presidents, was in Ohio attending the 2026 Patriots game alongside Pat McAfee. It’s interesting, since both Trump and McAfee have their share of love and hate from the public.
McAfee, a well-known former NFL player and current ESPN star, greeted Trump as Air Force One landed. Notably, he was in jeans and a T-shirt, casual enough to be wearing a backwards baseball cap. It’s kind of a bold look for meeting the president, right?
As Trump stepped off the plane into steady rain, he held an umbrella in one hand while signaling to McAfee, who mirrored the gesture. This moment—it almost seems emblematic of a friendship or, at the very least, a mutual recognition of their status.
This whole situation might make some people uneasy. McAfee works for ESPN, a network that’s not exactly known for conservative viewpoints, which begs the question: could he face backlash from his company for being so publicly supportive of Trump?
There’s a chance McAfee might stick to his guns, though. He previously faced criticism after having Trump appear on his show for Veterans Day and defended that decision. It was a solid move; he even sat next to Trump at the event.
The crowd certainly seemed to appreciate it, cheering with a resounding, “Mr. President, we love you.” The White House stated that Trump’s visit to Ohio was meant to honor the spirit of youth and to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of independence.
The Patriot Games, which took place at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, aimed to gather young athletes from across the country, ages 14 to 17, to compete in various sports and challenges. The event will award scholarships totaling $250,000 to champions, likely creating some future opportunities for these young competitors.
McAfee discussed the event during his show, prompting speculation about whether he might share more thoughts on Trump in upcoming broadcasts. It’s bound to stir things up at ESPN.
