In an unexpected turn during a ceremonial visit to the White House, Senator JD Vance of Ohio accidentally dropped a piece of Ohio State’s College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship trophy, causing visible damage to the historic artifact.
The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon during a celebratory event honoring the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2024–2025 CFP national title victory — their first in over a decade. The team, coaches, and prominent Ohio dignitaries, including Senator Vance, had gathered with President Biden on the South Lawn for speeches, photo ops, and a formal presentation of the championship trophy.
Eyewitnesses say Vance was holding the crystal football portion of the trophy when it unexpectedly came loose. “It just sort of split in his hands,” one staffer reported. “He looked stunned — and then it hit the ground.”
The iconic trophy, which features a handcrafted crystal football atop a metal base, reportedly cracked upon impact. Gasps were heard among players and attendees, and several members of the Ohio State staff rushed to assess the damage.
A visibly embarrassed Senator Vance apologized profusely, calling the incident “a heartbreaking accident.”
“This trophy belongs to every Buckeye fan in the country. I’m truly sorry,” he said afterward. “I offered to pay for the restoration immediately. Hopefully, it can be fixed before it’s returned to campus.”
The Ohio State Athletic Department later confirmed that while the base of the trophy remained intact, the crystal football component sustained significant damage. They added that the manufacturer, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), has been contacted about potential repairs or replacement.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day took the incident in stride. “These things happen,” he said. “We’re just grateful for the recognition and proud of our team. No dropped trophy can take away what these players accomplished.”
Social media lit up within minutes of the mishap, with videos of the moment quickly going viral. Some users joked about the “curse of the CFP trophy,” referencing similar accidents with past winners. Others expressed frustration, suggesting the trophy should only be handled by team personnel.
Despite the awkward moment, the White House event continued as scheduled, with players posing for photos and meeting with the President. As of now, it is unclear whether a replacement trophy will be commissioned or whether the original will undergo restoration.
UPDATE:
A spokesperson for the White House confirmed the trophy was insured and emphasized that “Senator Vance’s actions were not reckless,” citing a possible flaw in the mounting of the crystal football.
