President Donald Trump hosted Ohio State’s national championship football team at the White House on Monday. However, it was Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio State graduate, who stole the spotlight with a surprising moment.
Vance, from Middletown, was on stage with Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson to present the trophy. As they were picking it up, the trophy unexpectedly broke into two pieces. Vance was holding the base, which fell to the ground, while Henderson, who never fumbled during his junior and senior seasons, kept the golden top of the trophy intact.
Quickly recovering, Vance reassembled the trophy with Henderson’s part before setting it down. Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day then stepped in to assist. Vance took to social media after the event, humorously explaining the mishap: “I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it,” he joked on X.
The ceremony, held on the White House South Lawn, was attended by hundreds of Ohio State supporters. Trump praised the Buckeyes, congratulating them on their victory. He also congratulated several players, calling it a “proud day for the scarlet and gray.” He joked about Ohio State’s young and successful coach, Ryan Day, and said he might want to become Day’s agent.
Day, who has faced criticism for recent Ohio State losses to Michigan, referenced a famous quote by former President Teddy Roosevelt. The quote, displayed in Ohio State’s facilities, emphasizes the value of those who strive, even when they fail, over the critics.
“We are honored and humbled to be here celebrating with you our ninth national championship in our great university’s history,” Day said. “Through discipline and execution, this team dominated, finished the mission, and left no doubt.”
Several Ohio politicians also attended the event, including Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, the former OSU coach who led the team to a national championship, who joined the team at the podium.
