WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a moment of triumph and a touch of humor, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance welcomed the Ohio State Buckeyes to the White House on Monday to celebrate their 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship victory. The Buckeyes, led by head coach Ryan Day, secured their national title with a 34-23 win over Notre Dame in January at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The celebration, held on the White House lawn, was marked by speeches, accolades, and some lighthearted blunders. Vice President Vance, an Ohio State alumnus, nearly toppled the iconic CFP trophy while handling it, but quick reflexes from two Buckeyes players saved the day. Vance later joked on social media, saying, “I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy, so I decided to break it!”
President Trump also had his own humorous misstep, mistakenly referring to Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard as “Tennessee quarterback Will Howard” during his remarks. Despite the gaffe, Trump praised Howard’s talent and projected a bright future for him, humorously adding, “He’s going to be so rich, aye, aye, aye… think of that.”
The Buckeyes arrived in Washington, D.C., proudly wearing their championship rings, each inscribed with head coach Ryan Day’s mantra, “Leave No Doubt.” The rings feature scores of their playoff games and even include pieces of confetti from their victory celebration.
President Trump commended the team’s resilience, saying, “This team showed the world that the road to greatness is paved by hard work, sweat, and often a great deal of adversity.” Trump also noted their ability to overcome early-season losses and rally to bring the championship home to Buckeye Nation.
The event concluded with the team presenting Trump with a personalized jersey and showcasing their trophy, helmet, and championship rings. Defensive lineman Jack Sawyer captured the sentiment of the day, stating, “It’s a surreal moment. Seeing the rings makes it all feel real—years of hard work, sacrifice, and love culminated in this celebration.”
Ohio State now looks ahead as its senior players prepare for the NFL draft, carrying the pride of their achievements into the next phase of their careers.
