Stephen A. Smith Claims NFL Beef Pushed Trump Into Running for President

A decade ago, Donald Trump’s notorious escalator ride marked a significant turning point in American politics. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith suggests that the impetus behind Trump’s presidential aspirations stemmed from a deeply personal grievance: being thwarted in his pursuit of NFL ownership.On Front Office Sports, Smith asserts that Trump’s political journey was not just a result of traditional political maneuvers but also rooted in the aftermath of a failed billion-dollar sports acquisition. Back in 2014, following Ralph Wilson's death, Trump aimed to secure the Buffalo Bills. In a candid phone call, he expressed his intentions with characteristic frankness, claiming to surpass the $1.4 billion asking price, despite only having around $1.1 billion available.Smith recounts Trump’s forthright remark, threatening retaliation against NFL owners who obstructed his bid by stating, “I’m going to run for president.” This pivotal moment, coupled with Trump's historical interactions with football, reveals how the NFL inadvertently fueled a significant political force.