President Trump is turning to some of the most storied names in Texas football history for a final midterm campaign push, enlisting former stars to help mobilize voters in a state where the gridiron often rivals the ballot box in cultural importance.
On Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to appear in Lubbock and Corpus Christi alongside a trio of high-profile athletes: Johnny Manziel, the former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner; Colt McCoy, the former University of Texas standout; and Danny Amendola, a two-time Super Bowl champion who played his college ball at Texas Tech. The appearances bring some of the most recognizable figures in Texas sports onto the trail in a state where football commands a massive and loyal following.
The move represents a deliberate attempt by the Republican party to bridge the gap between presidential election enthusiasm and midterm turnout. While Trump secured a victory in 2024 by activating “lower-propensity” voters—individuals who are statistically less likely to participate in every election cycle—there are mounting concerns within the GOP that these same voters may stay home when the president himself is not at the top of the ticket.
Lubbock and Corpus Christi serve as strategic backdrops for this effort. Amendola’s presence in Lubbock is a direct appeal to the Texas Tech community, while Manziel and McCoy remain iconic figures across the state’s massive college football landscape. The strategy is designed to reach younger men who helped power Trump’s 2024 win but who have historically been harder to energize for mid-cycle contests.
The Texas swing is part of a broader pattern of Trump leveraging sports culture to maintain political momentum. Earlier this month, former NFL coach Jon Gruden appeared with Trump at a rally in Ohio, and former NFL star Todd Gurley joined the president for an event in Georgia. Trump also attended the high-profile Texas-Tennessee game in September and had planned to attend the Georgia-Alabama matchup before severe weather forced a cancellation.
The strategy extends across the party leadership. Vice President JD Vance recently visited the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice facility in Ohio, and Republican organizations have directed millions of dollars into advertising during NFL and college football broadcasts to keep their message in front of sports fans.
The focus on football is particularly aimed at reversing a perceived slide among younger men. According to analysis from Tufts University, Trump carried men under the age of 30 by 14 points in 2024. However, recent data suggests a potential shift in the midterm environment. A Harvard Youth Poll released last week indicated that among young men who say they are certain to vote in the upcoming midterms, Democrats hold a 26-point lead.
By surrounding himself with sports legends, Trump’s advisors believe they can recreate the high-energy atmosphere of his presidential campaign stops. “Trump has many bases. And football is one of them, college and pros,” an advisor noted, highlighting that the president enjoys the stadium-like environment these figures help generate.
The challenge for Republicans remains whether the star power of Manziel, McCoy, and Amendola can translate into actual ballots. The disparity between the 2024 results and current polling suggests that while young men may support the president’s brand, the party must work to ensure that support extends to the broader GOP ticket during a midterm year.
