Interior Dept compares Trump to Theodore Roosevelt over college sports reforms and football legacy
WASHINGTON, DC: The US Department of the Interior has drawn an unusual comparison between Donald Trump and Theodore Roosevelt, linking their influence on American football to broader debates over college sports reform and Hall of Fame recognition.
The comparison surfaced after comments from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during a Bank of America reception on Thursday, April 16, where he suggested Roosevelt could be considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum: "Keep it a secret, keep your fingers crossed, but I think we're going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 18, 2026
Watch full conversation Previewing Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library - 4pm ET on C-SPAN pic.twitter.com/mF9KhXZZH8
Doug Burgum hints at roosevelt hall of fame recognition amid nfl plans
Reports indicated Burgum discussed efforts to honor Roosevelt at a major NFL-related event in Washington, tying the idea to upcoming league activities in the nation’s capital.
He referenced meetings involving NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and said planning was underway for a high-profile announcement connected to the National Mall.
One Q: why Roosevelt, and why now?
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 18, 2026
Much is driven by Burgum’s interest in Roosevelt.
But a potential factor: White House says Roosevelt set precedent for Trump’s intervention to “save college sports” now.
Ergo: if Roosevelt gets into a hall of fame, why not Trump? pic.twitter.com/6VSONPajFH
He referenced meetings involving NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and said planning was underway for a high-profile announcement connected to the National Mall.
“The draft for the NFL is being held on the Mall a year from now (and) the Capitol will be in the background,” Burgum said.
“Keep it a secret. Keep your fingers crossed, but I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” he added.
Soon after, the Interior Department issued a statement drawing a parallel between Roosevelt’s role in reshaping football in the early 1900s and Trump’s recent executive actions on college sports.
Theodore Roosevelt’s role in saving and reshaping american football
Roosevelt’s influence on football is widely credited with helping save the sport during a period when it faced backlash over injuries and player safety concerns.
Between 1905 and 1906, he pushed college leaders to introduce major rule changes, which eventually led to the forward pass and restrictions on dangerous formations.
Those reforms are seen as a turning point that helped preserve football’s place in American sports culture.
Reports from The Washington Post and New York Post indicate that Theodore Roosevelt could be considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his role in preserving and reshaping the sport in the early 1900s.
— Chris R. Vaccaro (@ChrisVaccaro) April 18, 2026
Among the key reforms he helped drive:
*A rules… pic.twitter.com/1MNaT7AAWX
Donald Trump’s executive order on college sports reforms
The comparison also pointed to Trump’s April 3 executive order titled “Urgent National Action to Save College Sports,” which focused on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules and athlete compensation.
The order directed federal agencies to review college athletics systems and proposed stricter eligibility limits, transfer rules, and enforcement measures for institutions.
It also aimed to create a more standardized national framework for college sports amid growing financial competition between programs.
TRUMP SIGNS ORDER DECLARING COLLEGE SPORTS EMERGENCY
— NewsForce (@Newsforce) April 16, 2026
An executive order titled “Urgent National Action To Save College Sports” is now official.
It directs federal agencies to address issues tied to athlete pay and NIL deals.
The move expands federal involvement into a system… pic.twitter.com/r0JJuTpyK4
Broader push on college athletics and Title IX rules
Trump’s actions extended beyond NIL reforms, with additional policy moves addressing revenue distribution and protections for non-revenue and women’s sports programs.
His administration emphasized maintaining scholarships and participation opportunities in Olympic and women’s athletics even as schools adjust to new financial models.
Earlier in February 2025, Trump signed an order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which redefined Title IX based on biological s*x at birth and restricted transgender women from competing in women’s college sports.
