Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson delivered a salute to President Donald Trump after pulling off a stunning upset at the NCAA championship on Saturday night.
Hendrickson, a former Air Force wrestler and current second lieutenant, shared the patriotic moment with the former commander in chief—who was seated mat-side—as he secured a 5-4 victory over top-ranked University of Minnesota’s Gable Steveson to claim the Heavyweight title.
The salute came as the crowd inside Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center erupted in chants of “USA, USA.” Draped in an American flag, Hendrickson shook hands and shared a quick hug with the 47th president.
In a subsequent interview with ESPN following the encounter, Hendrickson revealed what Trump told him: “He said he was very proud of me.” The 24-year-old added: “He came here to support his troops. I put on a show for him. I wanted that national title.”
The commander in chief was met with a roaring ovation as he entered the arena, electrifying the crowd.
He was joined by DOGE chief Elon Musk and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), as well as Sen. Markwayne Mullen (R-Okla.).
Hendrickson earned the nickname “Captain America” during his standout four-year career at the Air Force Academy, where he was named an All-American.
Since service academy athletes are unable to use a fifth year of eligibility at their original school, Hendrickson received permission to transfer for his “COVID year” and joined Oklahoma State’s wrestling program.
In his final collegiate match, he faced off against Gable Steveson—a two-time national champion and the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in the men’s freestyle 125kg division.
The Indiana native was leading the match 3-2 with just 25 seconds remaining when Hendrickson turned the tide. The Oklahoma State standout secured Steveson’s right leg, drove forward, and brought him down near the edge of the mat. Hendrickson was awarded a 3-point takedown and maintained control for the final seconds to seal the victory.
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Although he is an active-duty second lieutenant in the Air Force, Hendrickson isn’t required to immediately begin his full-time military service.
With approval from the Air Force, Hendrickson was allowed to stay in Stillwater, OK after graduating to train with Cowboy RTC as he pursues a spot on the 2028 Olympic team, according to Oklahoma State athletics blog Pistols Firing. Once his wrestling career concludes, Hendrickson will begin his mandatory five-year service commitment to the Air Force.
“I’m gonna make a career out of the military regardless,” Hendrickson said, per the New York Post. “This is just part of the journey for me.”
During his 2024 campaign, Trump was a regular at ringside for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) matches. The head of the organization, Dana White — who campaigned for Trump — described what it was like at UFC events when Trump would enter the venue.
“It’s insane, you know, if you think about this, I’ve been doing this for, like, 23 years. When you’re walking with Trump, it’s a whole ‘nother level, man. The entire place erupted. Everybody was going crazy, and it was fun,” White told then-conservative radio host Dan Bongino, who is now serving as FBI deputy director after being tapped by Trump, in 2023.
The former president entered the arena with White and sat in the front row with him, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, entertainer Kid Rock, and other celebrities.
The UFC president also said that his company was the first to fill arenas again after the COVID lockdowns.
“When all the COVID bans were being lifted, it grew our business, I don’t know, like 70 percent or something like that, because we were the only thing to watch,” he told Bongino.
