Just when Americans thought the political theater had slowed down, former President Joe Biden found a way to make headlines — not from a podium, but from the sidelines of an NFL game.
Biden, 83, made a rare public appearance Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field as the Philadelphia Eagles steamrolled the Las Vegas Raiders 31–0. The optics were meant to be friendly, hometown Joe cheering on Philly’s team. Instead, they turned into another viral moment that critics say perfectly captures how disconnected he’s become.
The former president showed up wearing an Eagles baseball cap — but not just any Eagles cap. The hat was from Super Bowl LVII, a game Eagles fans would probably prefer to forget. That’s the Super Bowl where Philadelphia lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Social media users wasted no time pouncing.
“Biden is wearing a SB57 hat supporting the Eagles, and the Chiefs beat the Eagles in that game. He can’t even wear the correct SB hat,” one user wrote.
Another summed up the moment with brutal clarity: “They trotted out “Joe Biden” in front of the world yet again & he is wearing a Super Bowl LVII hat…you know…THE SUPER BOWL THAT THE EAGLES LOST!!! You can’t make this s* up.**”
A third chimed in: “Someone needs to get Joe Biden a new Eagles hat that isn’t from the Super Bowl where they lost to the Chiefs.”
And one commenter cut straight to the point: “He’s so outta touch.”
Adding to the irony, Super Bowl LVII took place during Biden’s presidency — meaning he personally invited the victorious Chiefs to the White House shortly after their win. That awkward photo history only made the hat choice sting more for Eagles fans.
Still, Biden leaned into the moment. In video captured by reporter Jason Dumas, the former commander-in-chief was heard saying on the sideline before kickoff: “Go Birds man! All the way, we gotta win the Super Bowl again.”
The problem? Eagles fans don’t need reminding of the one they didn’t win — especially from a politician already known for mixing up details.
Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, roughly 125 miles from Philadelphia, and often leans on that connection when it’s politically convenient. Yet his football loyalty has long been questionable. Despite the Philly roots, Biden has repeatedly claimed he’s been a Green Bay Packers fan since childhood.
Back in 2021, he explained why — invoking Catholic guilt and a long-deceased headmaster.
“Every Sunday the Packers won, the headmaster … Father Justin E. Diny would get on PA system and say, ‘Gentlemen no last period today,’” Biden said. “He made everyone of us Packers fans. Besides I’m fearful I’ll go to hell if I don’t root for the Packers. Father Diny may come back. I can’t go against Father Diny. He’ll come out of his grave if he knew I was rooting for anybody else.”
Biden, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year, appears fond of both teams — perhaps helped by the fact that his wife, Jill Biden, is a lifelong Eagles supporter who grew up in Willow Grove, a suburb just outside Philadelphia.
