On April 14, 2025, Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio State alumnus, created an unforgettable moment during a White House ceremony honoring the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship win. As the event on the South Lawn wrapped up, Vance attempted to lift the 35-pound trophy for a photo-op alongside star running back TreVeyon Henderson. But in a cringe-worthy mishap, the trophy’s gold football top separated from its black base, sending the base crashing to the ground amid gasps from the crowd and players.
The Buckeyes, who defeated Notre Dame 34-23 in January to claim their ninth national title, watched as Vance scrambled to recover. Henderson’s quick reflexes saved the golden top from falling, while Vance sheepishly retrieved the base. With the Marine Corps Band playing “We Are the Champions,” Vance laughed it off, later joking on X, “I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it.” The lighthearted quip went viral, sparking memes and chuckles across social media, with some calling it a “perfectly awkward VP moment.”
The ceremony, hosted by President Donald Trump, also featured Trump praising the team’s resilience despite a tough loss to rival Michigan. Vance couldn’t resist a jab at a Michigan fan in the crowd, jokingly threatening to alert the Secret Service about their “dangerous” hat. Despite the trophy fumble, the event celebrated Ohio State’s historic season, with Coach Ryan Day and players beaming as Trump presented a custom Buckeyes jersey. The trophy, thankfully, was reassembled unharmed, leaving Vance’s pride as the only real casualty of the day.
