The Ohio State Buckeyes were honored at the White House on Monday for their victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship earlier this year. Joining the head coach, Ryan Day and many players in this celebration of victory over Ohio State were President Donald Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance.
Present at the White House were Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel. Trump spoke on the team’s great lesson of hard work, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles to achieve their goal.
“Today, I am honored to call the Ohio State University Buckeyes national champions,” he said. “You’re the national champions, and you’re standing right here at the White House. And it’s a proud day for all of us, but it’s a proud day for the Scarlet and Gray.”
Jokingly, the President noted that January 20 would forever hold an important place in all their hearts as the date of the Championship game and his Inauguration as President. After Trump’s remarks, Coach Ryan Day honored his players.
“This team made history by winning the most difficult series of games in the history of college football,” Day said. Captains of the team presented the signed helmet and the jersey bearing number 47 and Mr. Donald Trump’s name.
The visit of the team almost ended on a note of drama when Vice President JD Vance almost dropped the national championship trophy. After the ceremony, Vance tried to lift the trophy and the black base, but the base slipped out as he lifted it.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson and linebacker Cody Simon, positioned right behind the Vice President, were able to catch the trophy as Vance bent down to retrieve the base. The audience gasped while the Marine Corps Band wrapped up with “We Are the Champions.” Thankfully, the trophy did not break.
Also read on Football: Josh Petty Becomes Program’s First Five-Star Recruitment