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11/09 16:49 CST Donald Trump is the 1st sitting US president at a
regular-season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978
Donald Trump is the 1st sitting US president at a regular-season NFL game since
Jimmy Carter in 1978
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP National Writer
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) --- President Donald Trump became the first sitting
president in nearly a half-century at a regular-season NFL game, attending the
Washington Commanders' contest against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
There were boos from some spectators in the stands when Trump was shown on the
videoboard late in the first half.
"I'm a little bit late," Trump told reporters earlier when he got off Air Force
One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, following a flyover of Northwest
Stadium during the game. He then got in his armored car for the drive to the
arena.
"We're gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country's
doing well. The Democrats have to open it up," he said --- a reference to the
government shutdown.
In the first quarter Sunday, before the president arrived, Lions receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by pointing into the stands and
moving his arms a la the " Trump dance " that several athletes began doing last
year.
House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Trump at the game. The White House said
several cabinet secretaries and Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana also
were scheduled to attend.
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 at a Super Bowl while
residing in the White House when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the
Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.
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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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