Trump awards Navy Midshipmen football team with Commander-in-Chief’s Prize
1 of 5|Head coach Brian Newberry stands at the podium with President Donald Trump throughout the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy discussion to the Navy Midshipmen in the East Space at the White Home in Washington, DC on Tuesday, as he called the U.S. Naval Academy group, “America’s team.” Image by Yuri Gripas/UPI|License Picture
April 15 (UPI)– President Donald Trump awarded the Navy Midshipmen football team, from the U.S. Naval Academy, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy throughout an event Tuesday at the White House, where the president was presented with the group’s ceremonial football.
“Today it’s an excellent honor to officially provide the Commander-in-Chief’s Prize to the 2024 Navy Midshipmen team, a great team,” Trump revealed.
“You won 10 of 13 games, including 9 by double digits,” Trump added. “You beat Flying force. You beat Army. And now this 170-pound trophy is yours once again.”
The Navy Midshipmen also beat Oklahoma University.
“That’s a major team. We’re not playing games here,” Trump stated.
Throughout Tuesday’s ceremony, the president called out the team’s co-captain and fullback Daba Fofana, who thanked his coach, and quarterback Blake Horvath, who said it’s “everything about the team.”
“Trophy’s a team, group, group, so terrific honor,” Horvath said, as protective captain Colin Ramos called it an “incredible season.”
“It is an outright honor to be here,” Ramos said. “I’m so happy to be with these guys and thank you President Trump for having us.”
Trump congratulated the senior citizens, revealed that “the U.S. Navy had its finest recruiting numbers since 2002” during the month of February and reminisced about Navy’s biggest win.
“In December, I was honored to personally attend the 125th Army-Navy game in a battle that would be among the very best ever in between the schools,” Trump said. “With winning this prize, you secure your spot as one of the best groups in Navy football history.”
Navy Midshipmen football coach Brian Newberry concluded Tuesday’s ceremony by “honoring these special boys” and presenting Trump with a Navy ceremonial football.
“The highest honor and the most crucial tangible goal in our program is to be standing in the White Home with our commander-in-chief,” said Newberry.
“Mr. President, this is your group. This is America’s team and the CIC trophy is the most desired and honorable prize in all of college sports,” Newberry included. “Go Navy. Beat everyone.”