Trevor Lawrence, Ed Orgeron call president Trump for college football support
President Trump says he received phone calls from Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and LSU coach Ed Orgeron saying they want to play this season.
Days after co-opting the “We Want to Play” movement spearheaded in part by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence released a college football hype video and said it would be a tragic mistake if there was no college football season, President Trump says he got some calls from some of the most important people in the sport.
On Wednesday, President Trump used part of his address with the media to say how Lawrence called him up saying he wanted to play. There are no details on what more the two talked about or how much Lawrence talked or how much Trump listened.
Additionally, Trump said LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron, who has been a frequent guest on various Fox News programs over the last few months, said he also called him.
Wouldn’t you like to be privy to that conversation?
President Trump keeps politics in sports
Trump: "Go play football. I spoke to some of the great football players. College players. Trevor, and a lot of great players called. Coach called. Coach O. A lot of fantastic people. I got to speak to. Athletes. Leaders. They want to play football. Let 'em play."
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 12, 2020
As far as who called who with Trevor Lawrence and POTUS: a Clemson spokesman says Lawrence said a White House staffer initiated conversation and provided him a number to call the President.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) August 12, 2020
It’s important to note the country is in the middle of a pandemic and the fate of the college football season is in question because of the national response to the coronavirus. Additionally, there are those who think politics and sports should be kept separate but the president has continually invoked politics in sports and sports in politics.
Whether he’s ragging on the NBA and citing their ratings or their response to China or their social activism, such as kneeling during the national anthem or wearing Black Lives Matter shirts, Trump can’t help himself.
The ego boost that comes with high-profile football celebrities coming to him and asking for their support in their efforts to play the season are interesting when you consider the virus didn’t just magically disappear by Easter like the president once said.
He also said he accepted no responsibility. If you want to play the blame game, college football players, coaches and fans who don’t get to watch their favorite team or sport this year can point the finger at the person who demonstrated that type of failed leadership.
You can expect if the college football season suffers no more cancelations, the president will take all the credit for that, but we shouldn’t let facts get in the way of this since they have no bearing on this administration.
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