Members of the Montana State University Bobcat football team made the trip to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, joining President Donald Trump for a White House visit and lunch to mark their 2025 FCS National Championship. The delegation included players, coaches, Governor Greg Gianforte, and members of Montana's federal congressional delegation, according to a photo posted by Rep. Troy Downing's office showing a Bobcat jersey, football, and the championship trophy.
White House visits for championship teams are a long-standing tradition, and the Bobcats' appearance comes after a dominant 2025 season that brought Bozeman its latest national title in the Football Championship Subdivision. Montana State has become one of the most successful programs in FCS history, and the program's national profile has grown steadily in recent years.
For Montanans, the visit was also a moment of statewide recognition in a city where Montana doesn't always get a prominent seat at the table. The image of a Bobcat jersey in the White House made the rounds quickly on social media Wednesday afternoon.