President Donald Trump heaped praise on Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) on Tuesday, sharing a lengthy story about the lawmaker’s college football career that apparently came as a surprise to the president.
In a ringing endorsement on his Truth Social platform, Trump recounted a conversation with former NFL coach Jon Gruden, who told him about the senator’s impressive record on the football field.
“Jon Husted, who was a Great Football Player in College, had Record Setting (sic) numbers of interceptions,” Trump wrote in the post. “In fact, he was known as ‘Interception Jon.’”
Trump said he first learned about Husted’s athletic background when Gruden appeared at one of his Ohio rallies.
“I asked the Coach, ‘Why are you here Jon?’” Trump recalled. Gruden responded that he was there to support his former teammate, prompting a surprised reaction from the president.
“And I said, ‘What do you mean, teammate, did Jon Husted play football?’” Trump asked. According to Trump’s account, Gruden described Husted as the standout player on their college team.
“Yeah, we had a great team, and he was the best player, by far,” Gruden reportedly told Trump. “He played safety, and he had 17 interceptions, A RECORD!”
“Wow, I didn’t know that about Jon,” Trump recalled responding.
The president said Gruden went on to praise Husted’s humility, explaining that the Ohio senator rarely discussed his football accomplishments.
“Yep, he was a great player, but because of the man he is, HUMBLE, he doesn’t go around talking about it like everyone else would have,” Trump recalled Gruden as saying.
Trump added a vintage black-and-white photograph of Husted in his football uniform in his social media endorsement.
“Such a great story!” Trump declared, before urging Ohio voters to support the Republican senator.
“HE IS A WINNER, A CHAMPION, AND A GREAT GUY,” Trump wrote Tuesday. “HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”