Texas Tech kicker Reese Burkhardt unveiled a MAGA-inspired touchdown celebration after scoring on a trick play against TCU on Saturday.
The improbable moment came in the first quarter in Fort Worth after Burkhardt lined up for a field goal, only to be hit by starter Jack Burgess with a sweep to the right. Burkhardt beat the Horned Frogs special team to the end zone and quickly moved to lift his jersey and expose his jersey.
As captured by Fox Sports cameras, but not by the network’s announcers, Burkhardt had written ‘Trump 24 MAGA’ on his shirt.
Unfortunately for Burkhardt, a senior from Alabama, he missed a 50-yard field goal before TCU sealed a 35-34 comeback victory over the Red Raiders.
Despite the loss, Burkhardt received some praise online for his rally for Donald Trump.
Placekicker Reese Burkhardt scores a touchdown for Texas Tech on a trick play against TCU
As captured by Fox Sports cameras, Burkhardt had written ‘Trump 24 MAGA’ on his shirt.
Burkhardt is an Alabama native who transferred to Texas Tech after two seasons at UAB.
“This is the best you’ll see in college football today,” wrote Derrick Evans, a former member of the West Virginia House of Representatives who was among the Trump supporters arrested for storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. .
But many others were upset by Burkhardt’s decision to mix politics and football.
“Keep politics out of sports, I thought,” one person on X wrote.
But the overwhelming number of responses to X centered on Burkhardt missing a 50-yard field goal attempt in a game the Red Raiders lost by a single point.
“I ended up missing the field goal and it made them lose the game,” one fan wrote. “Maybe next time we’ll keep politics out of sports lol.”
“I’m so glad they lost after this stupid stunt,” one Ohio State fan wrote on X. “I had absolutely no interest in that game until I watched it and had to tune in and root for them.” I was cheering so hard on the last play when it was obvious they were going to lose. Just like Trump will lose in 10 days.’
One respondent compared the celebration to Trump’s claim in 2020 that he actually won that year’s election.
“Looks like he celebrated prematurely much like Trump did in 2020,” one fan joked.