Sept. 25, 2026, 11:58 p.m. ET
All eyes can be on No. 13 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Texas on Saturday, Sept. 26, with ESPN’s “School GameDay” on the town. It will not be “GameDay” stealing the present in Knoxville, Tennessee, although.
President Donald Trump can be in attendance for the big-time sport, though “Jackass” co-creator Johnny Knoxville will function the superstar visitor picker for “GameDay.”
Trump has attended a number of faculty soccer video games throughout his presidency, together with Indiana’s nationwide championship win over Miami in 2025 and Military-Navy, to call just a few. His attendance supplies a logistical situation for each the Longhorns and Vols, as headset communication for each groups can be quickly shut off when Trump enters, exits or strikes areas within the stadium, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian revealed Sept. 24.
Tennessee legend Peyton Manning, the uncle of present Texas quarterback Arch Manning, will even seem on “School GameDay” for Pat McAfee’s field-goal problem. It’s going to be a who’s who of names on Tennessee’s campus Saturday morning.
With Trump making the shocking look on the sport, is there an opportunity he might be on ESPN’s pregame present? It would not be the primary time a politician appeared on the present, as Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was on “GameDay” in Week 2 for the Longhorns’ sport in opposition to Ohio State.
Here is what to know of Trump and “School GameDay” heading to Knoxville, Tennessee, in Week 4:
Is Trump going to be on ‘School GameDay’ for Tennessee vs Texas?
Trump will seemingly be proven on the present in some capability, however he will not seem on “School GameDay” alongside the crew or because the superstar visitor picker.
“We don’t anticipate the President becoming a member of School GameDay in Knoxville,” an ESPN spokesperson informed USA TODAY Sports activities. “I’d additionally like so as to add that it is customary to acknowledge sure VIPs who’re in attendance at video games, particularly if our cameras seize video of them on the sphere or of their seats. In any other case, our protection can be targeted on the sport itself.”
McAfee additionally mentioned on the “Pat McAfee Present” on Sept. 25 that Trump being the visitor picker was by no means lifelike.
“Take into consideration the place we’re at,” he mentioned. “We’re out on the sphere as a result of the sport is beginning at midday. The quantity of issues – they’re slicing off radio indicators each time this man strikes within the constructing.”
McAfee later added:
“Might you think about attempting to determine that out? He is sitting on the sphere. … Eighth-largest stadium on the planet. I believe that is quite a bit.”
Who’s the visitor picker for Tennessee-Texas on ‘School GameDay’
Johnny Knoxville, a co-creator of the famed “Jackass” sequence, will function the visitor picker for Tennessee-Texas.
The Knoxville native is a Vols fan and has appeared at a number of video games over time.
“This is likely one of the finest calls I’ve ever gotten in my life from you, to be the visitor picker at Tennessee,” Knoxville mentioned throughout an look on “The Pat McAfee Present” on Sept. 24. “I bleed orange. I am quite excited to be the visitor picker this weekend.”
