Politics and sports continue to be a volatile mix for President Trump — and he’s keeping score.
Trump tweeted best wishes to the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft Saturday morning, praising a player who once ripped NFL kneeler Colin Kaepernick as a “clown.”
“Congratulations to Nick Bosa on being picked number two in the NFL Draft. You will be a great player for years to come, maybe one of the best,” the president tweeted.
“Big Talent! San Francisco will embrace you but most importantly, always stay true to yourself. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Bosa, a star defensive end out of Ohio State, insulted Kaepernick on Twitter in August 2016 at the height of the controversy kicked up by the NFL quarterback’s refusal
to stand for the national anthem.
Ironically, Bosa was drafted by Kaepernick’s former team, the 49ers.
Bosa’s “clown” tweet was deleted in the run-up to Thursday’s draft.
In his first news conference in the Bay Area, Bosa said the Kaepernick tweet wasn’t meant as a comment on Kaepernick’s stance on social justice issues, ESPN reported.
“It was just a specific thing that happened and me as a young kid, a thought popping in my head and boom, decided to tweet it out. Bad decision,” Bosa, now 21, said.
“I respect what he’s done.”
Bosa reportedly deleted other tweets, including one that called Beyoncé’s music “complete trash,” and “Black Panther” the “worst Marvel movie.”
Trump did not tweet any mention of the No. 1 draft pick, Oklahoma U. quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.
Meanwhile, the NCAA men’s basketball champs turned down an invite to visit the White House in honor of their victory earlier this month.
University of Virginia head coach Tony Bennett said the meet and greet was declined due to scheduling conflicts.
“We have received inquiries about a visit to the White House,” Bennett tweeted on the hoops program’s official account. “With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together. We would have to respectfully decline an invitation.”
It’s tradition for the winning team from various sports championships to get an invitation from the White House. But last year, none was extended to the Villanova Wildcats after the team took home the men’s basketball trophy. In 2017, the champion University of North Carolina team said no date could be arranged for a visit.
This year’s winner of the women’s tournament, Baylor University, accepted the White House invite, and the Lady Bears will visit Monday.