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President Trump praised Indiana football's historic 16-0 season during a White House ceremony, calling it a legendary story. He highlighted the team's journey and its significance to fans.
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WASHINGTON â President Donald Trump spoke at length about Indiana footballâs perfect season Monday afternoon during a ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House honoring the team.
âThis was a year that will live forever in the hearts of Indiana football fans,â Trump said. âThere's no story like this.â
Trump relived that journey, offering his own commentary on IUâs 16-0 season. Hereâs a look at the standout moments from the Presidentâs speech:
More: 'Never bet against a guy like Curt.' Trump celebrates Indiana football's coach
The President referenced Cignettiâs famed âGoogle Meâ press conference as he traced IUâs path to the national title. While Trump said he normally hates guys with âcockyâ attitudes, he couldnât help but admire Cignettiâs style. Trump compared it to the way Muhammad Ali backed up his tough talk.
âJust two years later, he brought home the national championship,â Trump said. âWhen you do that stuff, you have to be able to produce when you act that way.â
More: Fernando Mendoza called Trump ahead of Indiana football's White House visit
Trump described the season as a legendary story that will live forever in the hearts of Indiana football fans.
Trump honored the Indiana football team during a ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House.
Trump praised Indiana football's coach Curt Cignetti, comparing him to Muhammad Ali.
Trump relived the team's journey and highlighted key moments from their perfect 16-0 season.

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U.S. President Donald Trump reacts with head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Trump didnât expect quite so many former Indiana football players to be busy with OTAâs in the NFL. While Fernando Mendozaâs absence made headlines last week, Trump was surprised to find out that key starters like Pat Coogan and DâAngelo Ponds werenât in attendance either. The President sought to highlight their contributions during his remarks.
âWe've got 15 of them in (NFL) training camp right now,â Cignetti told Trump.
âOh, I can't believe it,â the President said. âNo wonder you won.â
According to Trump, Mendoza called the President last week to tell him he wouldnât be able to attend the event. There were a handful of former IU players who graduated on the trip, but none of the ones who were drafted or signed to NFL teams.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a team T-shirt from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
Trump has maintained close ties with former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Cignettiâs one-time mentor. It might help explain why the President was so impressed by the lopsided final score of IUâs 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
âCoach, you've got to be kidding,â Trump said after reading the final score. âThat's right, over Alabama. That's a big one.â
Cignetti, who won a title as an assistant at Alabama for Saban, even poked fun at his former school as Trump spoke about the game.
âRoll tide,â Cignetti shouted.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendozaâs diving touchdown against the Hurricanes made quite the impression on Trump, who attended the CFP championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. The President raved about the play call on Monday afternoon with Cignetti by his side.
Facing a fourth-and-four from Miami's 12-yard line, Cignetti called a QB draw with his team holding onto a slim lead in the final 10 minutes. Mendoza scored by breaking a series of tackles and making a Superman-esque dive across the goal line.
âNo coach in America would have done what this guy did,â Trump said of Cignetti. âThey said, this guy is making such a mistake, and he won. That was a hell of a play. That's the kind of play if they don't do that play, if it doesn't work, that's like career-threatening, right?â
Trump circled back to the thought before talking about Jamari Sharpeâs interception.
âHe kept doing all this stuff,â Trump said. âThe things that weren't supposed to happen. You're just lucky you won that game because if you didn't, they would have said, this coach is crazy.â
Head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Trump frequently veered away from his prepared remarks to offer up asides on Indianaâs rags to riches story. Cignetti orchestrated a turnaround in just two seasons in Bloomington at a school with very little tradition in the sport.
âWhat you did is something that I don't think anybody's ever really done in college football history,â Trump said.
Trump, like many fans, was impressed with the way IU dispatched the sportâs blue bloods â mostly in lopsided fashion â on their journey to winning the CFP title.
âYou went through a lot of great teams,â Trump said. âAnd real football powerhouses over the years. That's pretty intimidating. Amazing. Top tens. This team lifted the Indiana football program from a historic low.â
For Trump, itâs what made Indianaâs 16-0 season distinct from other championship teams that have visited the White House.
âThe story of Indiana University is really a legendary story,â Trump said.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: President Trump puts spotlight on âlegendaryâ Indiana football team