A politician’s diplomacy changes quicker than a chameleon’s colors, a wise man once said. Though Walz is the governor of Minnesota itself, it is sort of a given that he’d be supporting the Gophers against the Wolverines today on the 28th of September, but it looks like he’s trying to play it safe. The 2024 season seems to be surrounded by the fever of the elections and the fans’ disappointment levels continue to rise. Fans from all over, regardless of their political stances, strongly dislike the intermingling of diplomacy with sports, the one area of life that is about winning and losing strictly, without ties to the world outside the gridiron. Yet, with the presence of Tim Walz and Donald Trump at these iconic stadiums, the message seems to be further lost away as these two contestants battle it out for a popularity contest through the stands.

Seeing as how his trip to Ann Arbor is part of a bigger campaign stop, Walz is coming with the sole intention of raising awareness among the youth for voting and the power they hold. Additionally, Walz, Kamala Harris’ pick for the vice-president, visiting a football stadium is an effort to compete against Donald Trump, the RNC pick for the president, who is set to visit the much-anticipated game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs today.

A fan posed the question to Walz, and he was asked whether he was excited to see Michigan defeat his home team, Minnesota. This was his response. Walz said, “I’m excited to be in the big house. I’m excited to watch his incredible game. I’m more excited to see young people, excited about their future and getting ready to vote.” 

Thus, Walz would choose the Gophers in a heartbeat if it weren’t for the mantle of the potential VP of the USA that he’s donning and is trying to appease both sides in the most captivating way possible, as are his competitor, J.D Vance, and Donald Trump. But why is the football field suddenly becoming the fighting pit for these politicians? For the free publicity and the million pairs of eyes, as per Angi Horn, proud Alabama lover and a Republican strategist.

“100,00 potential voters in one location,” Angi Horn reveals the true intentions of politicians in stadiums

The presidential election race is one of the most popular topics in the nation at the moment, with either side trying to one-up the other with each passing day. As such, what better place to garner young voters if not a high-tension game where the youth will show up with the most enthusiasm? This is what Angi Horn had to say while voicing out her opinion on why this extravagant display of politicians is occurring.

Horn highlighted the high attendance of people in the stadiums and said, “College football in the fall is the only place where you can find 100,000 potential voters in one location and you don’t have to pay for it. To pay for the amount of coverage and publicity and a crowd like that would cost millions,” she added. “They’re getting it for free — and you get to see a really good football game.”

Thus, the race of the politicians against the ticking clock is tarnishing the spirit of the sport despite the raging protests of the fans. These visits may get more frequent as we approach the November election, but for players and coaches, they’re just another celebrity coming to the game to witness America’s favorite sport.