Vice President JD Vance accidentally dropped the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy during a ceremony on Monday honouring the champion Ohio State Buckeyes. A proud moment of celebration on the White House’s South Lawn turned into a bittersweet memory no one will soon forget.
The event was held to celebrate Ohio State’s triumphant win at the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. The Buckeyes had worked hard, overcoming adversity and setbacks to secure their championship title. The team arrived in full glory, greeted by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Head Coach Ryan Day.
With top dignitaries and star players in attendance, the President delivered his remarks, praising the team for their resilience. Coach Day expressed his pride and was followed by Vice President JD Vance, who is also an Ohio State alumnus, to join in the team’s celebration.
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JD Vance himself is an Ohio State alumnus. When Vance stepped forward to lift the trophy, he didn’t realize that the championship award wasn’t one solid piece. Designed in two parts — a golden football-shaped top and a heavy black base — it was far more fragile than it looked.
In the confusion of not understanding the trophy’s design, the top was saved by Buckeyes running back Treveyon Henderson, but the base rolled to the ground. Not realising that the top and base were supposed to be separate, Vance accidentally loosened his grip.
JD Vance fumbles the college football championship trophy (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty) pic.twitter.com/YgumeRlniZ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 14, 2025
Thankfully, Henderson was quick on his feet and managed to save the trophy’s upper portion. JD Vance rushed to pick up the base, his expression caught between embarrassment and amusement.
The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is not your average award. It stands over 26 inches tall and is made of 24-karat gold, bronze, and stainless steel. It is mounted on a 12-inch bronze base.
JD Vance did not “break” the National Championship trophy.
It disconnects from the base into two separate pieces. pic.twitter.com/vpYNxyh5Fc
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) April 14, 2025
The mixed reaction of surprise and laughter from the players and the attendees left some players shocked, while others laughed out loud. Some clapped in approval.
Meanwhile, the United States Marine Corps Band bravely played “We Are the Champions,” battling the noise of increasing boos and laughter from the crowd.
JD Vance handled the situation with grace and humour. “I didn’t want anyone to carry the trophy after Ohio State, so I decided to break it,” he wrote on social media.
Photos and video clips of the drop went viral almost instantly. Social platforms were flooded with memes showing the trophy in the air, and Vance’s priceless facial expressions were meme gold.
Many appreciated how he owned the moment instead of feeling embarrassed. It became a trending topic not because of embarrassment but because of its authenticity.
This wasn’t the first time the trophy fell. In 2006, tennis star Maria Sharapova dropped it at the U.S. Open after raising it above her head. The top portion suddenly fell to the ground.
Similarly, in 2011, Real Madrid accidentally dropped the Copa del Rey trophy during their parade and ran over it with the team bus. The entire top portion was destroyed.
Lessons from the blunder
The importance of ceremony preparation
A little advance notice could have saved the moment. Understanding the design of the trophy could have helped avoid the accident.
JD Vance trophy drop incident may not have been planned, but it made the event memorable in the best way possible.