The College Football Playoff National Championship Game took center stage in the sports world on Monday evening and, given the stakes, that wasn’t a surprise. While the NBA rolled out a full slate, Jan. 8 belonged to the college gridiron and, before kickoff, things got interesting in a hurry.
President Donald Trump made his way to Atlanta for the festivities. While he was not expected to appear on ESPN during its broadcast of the game, the president did head onto the field to be present for the national anthem.
President Trump takes the field pic.twitter.com/VJ8K5YmpTp
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 9, 2018
Prior to his arrival inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, there were plenty of issues with fans attempting to get into the building. A number of folks blamed Trump (and the presence of the Secret Service as the primary security force) for issues with the lines.
They locked down @MBStadium for @realDonaldTrump an hour ago and myself and a thousand fans have been waiting in the rain to get in. Let’s just say there were plenty of boos when Trump arrived pic.twitter.com/6XIr8YO5gO
— Andy Scholes (@AndyScholesCNN) January 8, 2018
There were some theorizing as to why both teams remained in the locker room for the anthem festivities, although that is par for the course at the college level.
I Wonder Why They Made Both Teams Stay In The Locker Room 4 The National Anthem???? 🤷🏾♂️
— Plies (@plies) January 9, 2018
Normal. Few teams come out before the anthem in college. https://t.co/sIiuQGDvyr
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 9, 2018
In general, though, there was plenty of backlash for the mere presence of POTUS.
Remember, though, upstaging the national anthem is Bad
— Listen Here Baseball Commissioner (@spacemnkymafia) January 9, 2018
Wow stick to sports
— Jason Kirk (buy my novel) (@JasonKirk_fyi) January 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/travis_waldron/status/950536188867248129
Trump’s cameo caused one Alabama football player some unhappiness, as Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough appeared to express his discontent about the president taking the field. (A warning that Scarbrough used NSFW language.)
Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough yells “F— Trump” before tonight’s title game. pic.twitter.com/RhuhRyNFHh
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 9, 2018
There were also some who believed Trump struggled with the words to the anthem — we’ll let you decide whether that’s the case, as ABC News recorded a video of him singing along.
Trump was mouthing some words during parts of the national anthem, but it was unclear what he was saying. He didn't open mouth during other parts.
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) January 9, 2018
I could not help but notice that it appeared Trump did not know all the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Did anyone else catch that? #CFPNationalChampionship
— Daina Falk (@TheHungryFan) January 9, 2018
Pres. Trump takes the field for the National Anthem ahead of tonight's college football championship game. https://t.co/JGVhB5xp1A pic.twitter.com/k4lFtrwXzI
— ABC News (@ABC) January 9, 2018
While the halftime show felt miles away, there was some looking ahead to the performance of Kendrick Lamar and what may transpire. In addition, the crowd at Lamar’s concert (taking place outside) didn’t appear to enjoy the pregame choices.
https://twitter.com/38Godfrey/status/950535644648009729
LOUD boos at Centennial Park when they showed Donald Trump on the screen. Loudest I’ve heard the crowd all night.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) January 9, 2018
Politics and sports are mixing in ways never before seen. But, at college football’s biggest game in Atlanta on Monday, this went to a new level.
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