Vice President JD Vance accidentally fumbled Ohio State’s national championship trophy during a White House ceremony Monday, causing an awkward moment that was quickly saved by the steady hands of Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson.
The mishap occurred as Vance, an Ohio State alumnus, attempted to lift up the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy alongside Henderson during the team’s visit celebrating their January victory over Notre Dame.
Vance didn’t realize the two pieces separated. As Vance gripped the 35-pound base of the trophy and Henderson held the top portion featuring a gold football, the two pieces fell apart. Vance then dropped the heavy base to the floor while Henderson held onto the trophy’s upper section.
Vance picked up the base before Henderson attempted to help him reassemble the trophy.
Following the ceremony, Vance joked about the incident and “recovered” his fumble. Take a look —
I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it https://t.co/rS3Vw3BdO6
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 14, 2025
The CFP trophy is designed as two separate pieces, with players and coaches routinely lifting just the upper portion during celebrations.
The ceremony featured other lighthearted moments, including when Vance spotted someone wearing a Michigan hat in the crowd. The Vice President, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in 2009, jokingly threatened to alert security.
“I don’t know who let the guy over in the corner here in a Michigan hat into the celebration, but I’m about to tell the Secret Service you’ve got a dangerous weapon, sir,” Vance said.
Trump called Vance the “biggest [Buckeyes] fan of them all” in his administration during the ceremony.
The Ohio State visit marked the second championship team welcomed to the White House in two weeks, following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ celebration of their World Series victory. The Philadelphia Eagles have already announced plans to visit the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl championship.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz responded to Vance’s trophy mishap on social media, and promised to pay up on a bet the two had on the championship game —
Tragic. @JDVance fear not, you’ll get your TX BBQ, Blue Bell ice cream & Shiner Bock, and yes I’ll even be wearing an Ohio State jersey (shudder).
Although you sure would have looked good in burnt orange….#HookEm https://t.co/RMEizJ84LK
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 14, 2025