The Washington Commanders will have a special guest on Sunday when they host the Detroit Lions. President Trump plans to attend the Week 10 matchup, the team confirmed Friday.
Mr. Trump will join the festivities of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” weekend, which honors current and former members of the military. Veterans Day is Tuesday.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” Commanders President Mark Clouse said in a statement. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”
However, members of the military will not participate in the festivities in any official capacity. Pentagon officials have prohibited members of the Department of Defense from joining in outreach activities amid the ongoing government shutdown, according to multiple reports.
Mr. Trump is a familiar face in NFL circles. He previously owned the New Jersey Generals of the USFL, a rival league in the 1980s. The New York native also has said he considered bidding on the Buffalo Bills following the death of former owner Ralph Wilson in 2014.
In February, Mr. Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
