President Donald Trump, with his grandson Theodore, walked on the field before the start of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs (Image: AP)
The are on the brink of making history with a potential third consecutive title, but it was former President who stole the spotlight before their clash with the Philadelphia Eagles even kicked off.
The 78-year-old, after enjoying a round of golf with Tiger Woods at his Palm Beach resort, jetted to the New Orleans stadium aboard Air Force One. Arriving just an hour before game time, motorcade whisked him to the Caesars Superdome.
In a poignant moment, he met with survivors of the tragic January 1 attack in New Orleans, which and injured even more. As over 120 million viewers tuned in for the NFL’s showpiece event, Trump ensured his presence was seen by the world’s cameras, mingling with fans and stepping onto the field during the teams’ warm-ups.
Trump earlier told the press his reasons for attending: “I thought it would be a good thing for the country to have the president be at the game.” He continued, “It’s an iconic day. It’s going to be a great game, two great teams, and let’s see what happens.”
President Trump saluted while 83,000 football fans belted out the US national anthem (Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc)
Amidst the pre-game hustle, Chiefs’ defensive titan Chris Jones paused his preparations to exchange handshakes and words with Trump, a gesture highlighting the day’s blend of sports and statecraft.
Before the game’s kick-off, former President Trump revealed his top picks for the win in a Fox News interview, stating: “I guess, you have to say that when a quarterback wins as much as he’s won, I have to go with Kansas City.
“I have to go with Kansas City. At the same time, Philadelphia has a fantastic game, it’s going to be a great game.”
Trump received a warm welcome from fans as he arrived at the stadium with his children Ivanka and Eric, and grandson Theodore, entering to a roaring cheer.
During the national anthem, Trump saluted the crowd, a departure from the presidential tradition of placing a hand over their heart. The star-studded event also saw celebrities like Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, and Gwen Stefani in attendance, with all eyes on the Kansas City Chiefs, who were aiming for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory.