Trump attends NFL game, chaos follows on and off the turf
Tempers erupted during Sunday’s NFL clash between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders, turning an already charged game into a headline-making moment.
The Lions took home a decisive 44-22 victory, but it was an on-field scuffle and a presidential appearance that stole the spotlight.
Presidential appearance
The game, held on November 9, drew national attention as President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president in 50 years to attend a regular-season NFL matchup. His late arrival and early exit were met with mixed reactions from fans.
When Trump addressed the stadium from his private box, the crowd’s boos drowned out much of his speech. The frosty reception was in stark contrast to the warm welcome often reserved for such high-profile appearances.
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Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, aware that the president would be in attendance, decided to add a bit of humor to his touchdown celebration. Pointing toward the presidential box, he mimicked Trump’s well-known dance moves, unaware that the president had not yet arrived.
Celebration gone wrong
“I heard Trump was going to be [here],” St. Brown said afterward, according to The Guardian. “I don’t know how many times the president’s going to be at the game, so just decided to have some fun.”
However, not everyone on the field shared his sense of humor. Washington defensive lineman Daron Payne reacted angrily, punching St. Brown moments after the celebration. The altercation was captured live on camera and immediately drew the referee’s attention.
Payne was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct, a decision that quickly set off a firestorm of reactions on social media.
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Online backlash
NFL fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Payne’s actions. One fan wrote, “As a leader of Washington’s defense, Daron Payne should know better than to throw a punch on the field. He should be suspended. There is no place for this in sports.”
Another user commented, “Footage of the Daron Payne incident. Yeahhhh you can't do that. That was stupid, especially from a veteran. The frustration of these players is boiling over.”
Despite the outrage, not everyone condemned Payne’s response.
Teammate’s defense
Washington’s defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw came to his teammate’s defense, suggesting Payne was provoked. “Daron only retaliated because the refs literally saw the first punch,” Kinlaw told reporters in the locker room.
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“I don’t blame him for the way he reacted,” Kinlaw added. “Tempers got to flying, it is what it is, it’s a physical game.”
The NFL has not yet announced whether further disciplinary action will be taken against Payne, but the incident has reignited debate about player conduct and on-field emotions in high-pressure games.
Sources: The Guardian, NFL Memes, Unilad
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