Ever since Ohio State clinched the national title, the program hasn’t quite found its rhythm. The departure of several key figures, both on the field and in the coaching staff, threw a wrench in Ryan Day’s plans for a strong 2025 season. The exits of quarterback Will Howard, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly raised immediate concerns about whether the Buckeyes could maintain their championship form. As the dust settled and new transfers arrived, attention turned toward a critical mid-season matchup against Texas—a game seen as a litmus test for their title defense hopes.
But if there’s one constant in college football, it’s the passionate and often intense Ohio State fanbase. Their fiery devotion to the team has always made things unpredictable, and they were quick to spotlight a new “oops” moment for the Buckeyes—this time, during their visit to the White House.
In a celebratory ceremony on April 14, recognizing their 34–23 national championship victory over Notre Dame, the team brought their hard-earned trophy to the South Lawn. The mood was festive, the victory still fresh, and everything seemed in order—until Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio State alum, accidentally dropped the championship trophy while trying to lift it.
JD Vance trying hold up the trophy of The Ohio State championship football team didn’t go so well.
Looks like bro broke it and dropped it.
This guy is an embarrassment. pic.twitter.com/YqqzUuZ3IN
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) April 14, 2025
What could’ve been a proud and flawless moment turned into an awkward slip-up. Vance attempted to brush it off with humor, saying he was trying to break the trophy so no one else could claim it. But that quip didn’t sit well with fans online, many of whom criticized him heavily on social media.
The episode triggered memories of earlier struggles for the Buckeyes. Before they lifted the trophy, they endured a crushing loss to Michigan and saw head coach Ryan Day face intense scrutiny, including extreme fan reactions like death threats. But Day persevered, correcting course and guiding the team to a redemptive stretch of four consecutive wins, culminating in their national title run in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Despite all that effort and triumph, this moment at the White House risked overshadowing it all. Fans were quick to express their outrage. One wrote, “Should not have tried to pick it up. Probably been beat the hell out of the last few months, lol.” Another added, “Looks like bro broke it and dropped it. This guy is an embarrassment.”
Social media exploded with reactions, with some fans calling Vance out for being careless at such a pivotal public event. Many pointed out the stark irony—music blaring “We Are the Champions” while the trophy clattered to the ground. One fan summed it up with: “Bruh, get that s_it out of his hands.”
This wasn’t Vance’s first run-in with backlash from the Ohio State community. After their painful loss to Michigan earlier in the season, he had publicly offered words of encouragement, which led to mocking responses from rival fans. Now, with this high-profile fumble, he found himself once again the target of ridicule from both Buckeyes supporters and their rivals.
To make things more complicated, the championship game took place on January 20—the same day as Donald Trump’s inauguration—which meant Vance had to miss the game due to political commitments. Although Trump pledged to attend the White House celebration, no one anticipated the event would be marred by such an unfortunate mishap.
Despite the chaos, the trophy still symbolizes the grit and determination of Ohio State’s journey. Whether this moment becomes a minor footnote or a stain on their celebration remains up for debate among fans and critics alike.