Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has spoken of his pride at being named to Donald Trump’s council on sports, fitness, and nutrition.
Tagovailoa joins two other current NFL stars on the council, Nick Bosa and Harrison Butker, who have been backers of Trump’s Maga movement. While Tagovailoa has not publicly expressed his support for the president, who once described NFL players who knelt for the national anthem as “sons of bitches”, he said he was happy to align himself with Trump.
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“I think it’s pretty cool – it’s an honor, [to serve on the council]” Tagovailoa said on Wednesday. “I don’t know too much about it, but it’s an honor.”
Trump has revitalized the council under an executive order that will also being back the presidential fitness test for American children, which was phased out during the Obama administration.
Tagovailoa said he did not know why he had been named to the council. When Trump announced the council’s members he mispronounced Tagovailoa’s name. On Wednesday. the quarterback laughed off the president’s error.
“I don’t think he’s had the worst – I heard a couple worse at Alabama,” said Tagovailoa. “It is what it is, I don’t take that to heart.”
Earlier this week, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said he had declined his invitation to sit on the council.
“A couple months ago, it was brought to my team about the council,” Barkley told reporters after Monday’s Eagles practice session. “So I’m not really too familiar with it. I felt like that I am going to be super busy. Me and my family thought it would probably be of best interest to not accept that. I was definitely a little shocked when my name was mentioned. I’m assuming it’s something great, so I appreciate it but was a little shocked when my name was mentioned.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will also be a member of the council.