President-elect Donald Trump isn’t missing a beat when it comes to celebrating his victory—or those of his vocal supporters. On Sunday, Trump was quick to give a shout-out to San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa after his team narrowly beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bosa, who logged three tackles and a sack on quarterback Baker Mayfield, threw in a little Trump-inspired victory dance after the play, clearly channeling the president-elect’s rally antics. Trump, for his part, loved it, calling Bosa a “great player” on Truth Social and giving his thumbs-up to the defensive end’s show of MAGA pride on the field.
Bosa’s been making no secret of his political leanings over the past few weeks. After the 49ers’ decisive win over the Dallas Cowboys, he put on a MAGA hat for the cameras, fully aware it might draw some backlash. Sure enough, the NFL hit him with a fine, but Bosa wasn’t fazed. “It was well worth it,” he said, standing by his right to express himself despite the NFL’s slap on the wrist. “I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change,” he added, unapologetically nodding to the fact that, like it or not, Trump’s back in office for a second term.
Nick Bosa has been fined $11,255 for wearing a MAGA hat on the field after their win.
“It was well worth it. I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change, so clearly the nation spoke. We got what we got.” 👏🏼
pic.twitter.com/ov6smN7R33— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 9, 2024
As for the game itself, it was a nail-biter. San Francisco edged out Tampa Bay with a 23-20 victory, and Bosa played a major role in keeping Mayfield under pressure, adding to his season stats of 4.5 sacks, an interception, and 28 tackles. Bosa’s performance on the field has been solid, but it’s his post-game statements that have fans and critics talking. Some are rallying behind his boldness, while others, well, not so much. But in true Bosa style, he seems more than happy to wear his politics on his sleeve—or rather, on his helmet.
Trump’s re-election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris last week was close, with over 74.8 million votes cast for Trump to Harris’s 71.2 million. For Trump and his supporters, the win represents more than just a political outcome—it’s a cultural pushback, and you can bet they’re not toning it down. Figures like Bosa, with his unabashed support, show just how deeply entrenched that cultural divide has become, even in America’s favorite pastime.
Of course, this kind of public political display in sports isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and there are plenty who think Bosa’s stunt was crossing a line. However, for Trump fans, Bosa’s MAGA hat and end-zone dance serve as a powerful symbol, especially in the NFL, which has been no stranger to political controversy over the years. Trump’s message about Bosa echoes a bigger sentiment within his base: pride, not just in the win, but in the right to show support for it.
It was September of 2016 when 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem, now the 49ers are doing the Trump dance.
I cannot stress the significance and magnitude of this vibe shift enough.
We are on the Good Timeline https://t.co/5unmHuNLTf
— Lomez (@L0m3z) November 10, 2024
In today’s hyper-politicized sports landscape, it’s clear that political statements aren’t going away anytime soon—if anything, they’re growing louder. And with Trump gearing up for his second term, he’s got some high-profile supporters ready to celebrate the victory, both on and off the field.
