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Legendary NFL agent Leigh Steinberg, who represented a record eight first-round draft picks and is the subject of the hit sports film “Jerry Maguire,” revealed his judgment on Jaxson Dart’s decision to introduce President Donald Trump at a recent rally.
Steinberg also revealed that he once contributed to a coalition called “Athletes for Obama,” but it was canceled before it was even announced, and why.
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New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart greets President Donald Trump during a Fighting For American Workers event in Suffern, NY, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
In an exclusive interview with PK Press Club Digital, Steinberg acknowledged that the recent backlash against Dart from mainstream media is “overblown.”
“Yes, because again, there’s a long history of athletes supporting Democratic candidates,” Steinberg said when asked if he thought the reaction was “overblown.”
“Athletes like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have openly supported Democratic candidates, with few comparable negative reactions.”
Dart’s presence at the Trump rally was limited to the quarterback leading a simple “Go Big Blue!” ” sing and then introduce Trump with the phrase: “I’m grateful, I’m honored, I’m happy to introduce the 45th and 47th Presidents of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump!
Dart made no political statements at the rally. Steinberg believes that making a political statement is a line Dart was right not to cross.
“If he had stood up and given a partisan speech, that would have been a step too far…we like athletes to be accessible to people of all political beliefs,” Steineberg said.
NFL quarterback Jaxson Dart hugs President Donald Trump during a Fighting For American Workers event in Suffern, New York, May 22, 2026. (Ryan Murphy/AP)
“Traditionally, the president of the United States plays different roles. On the one hand he is partisan and on the other hand he is apolitical, he is the representative of our country. If the president is not partisan in the event, then it is particularly appropriate to present him.”
Steinberg only addressed Dart at one point during the event when Trump was speaking, and invoked Dart in a passage that seemed related to the issue of trans athletes in women’s sports.
Trump asked Dart how he would fare against competition from women, before saying “it’s not a good thing for women” during the speech.
“The president has obviously spoken about transgender issues, and that’s another particularly polarizing topic,” Steinberg said. “I wouldn’t want Jaxson Dart to be in the middle of a controversy about transgender athletes.”
Ultimately, from a business standpoint, Steinberg believes Dart’s introduction of the president can be beneficial to the quarterback’s brand and marketing potential.
“He builds friendships, makes connections and meets business people who are doing various things,” Steinberg said.
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart as he arrives to speak at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y., May 22, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)
“There are endorsements that can come because of high profile. There are a lot of people who supported the president who owned businesses that he could have equity in, own them or that he could make endorsements with.
“And public speaking is always about skill and being able to connect with the crowd, so there are lots of ways to help.”
“Athletes for Obama”
Steinberg said that in 2008, as an NFL super agent, he helped organize an interest group called “Athletes for Obama.”
However, after Obama’s Republican opponent, the late John McCain, began using campaign tactics to portray Obama as a “celebrity” candidate, the interest group was canceled, according to Steinberg.
“They never announced the organization because it came at a time when McCain kept emphasizing that he was a ‘celebrity,'” Steinberg said. “They never announced it because McCain made a big political issue out of the fact that he was a ‘celebrity’ candidate, that he wasn’t serious about certain things.”
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However, Steinberg said each of the athletes who initially signed up for “Athletes for Obama” ended up supporting Obama individually anyway.
“Many athletes supported Obama when he ran for president. Of course, he was the ideal sports candidate, because he was black, he was young, he was athletic himself,” Steinberg said.
