It will be very hard for the Iowa Hawkeyes to replicate last year’s 12-0 regular season, but the B1G Ten West division remains rather weak. Iowa returns a couple major key pieces, in cornerback Desmond King, probably the league’s top rated NFL draft prospect and quarterback C.J. Beathard, who was anointed “the next Tom Brady” by Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Of course, an endorsement from Trump on anything is worth…about as much as a degree from Trump University.
Especially, when it comes to the pro careers of college quarterbacks. You’ll recall Trump’s Tweet in which he said Manziel was going to be the next big thing in the NFL.
Johnny Manziel Appears To Be A MASSIVE Donald Trump Fan [PHOTO] https://t.co/yESuc7TnC7 pic.twitter.com/c6IuvoPXX3
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 25, 2016
Beathard received the Brady comparison/tremendous compliment when he and 11 of his teammates took to the stage at a Trump event in Iowa City, days before the Iowa Caucuses.
“I got some grief for going to that, and posting a picture with him on Instagram,” Beathard, who is not a Trump supporter, repeated NOT a Trump supporter, said at B1G Media Day.
Trump used the photo-opp to claim amid the event that the Hawkeye players were actually endorsing him.
Beathard says that isn’t true. He was only there to meet a famous reality TV star; not to make a political statement. Beathard received an invitation from a friend and former Hawkeyes player who’s father is a state senator.
Here’s the C.J. Beathard video from the Des Moines Register, in conjunction with the Iowa City Press Citizen.
“I listen to politics. … That wasn’t me coming out saying I’m voting for Trump or whatever,” said Beathard.
“It was Donald Trump. If he wasn’t running for president, I probably would have done the same thing, wanted to meet him.”
C.J. Beathard has not publicly expressed support for any presidential candidate at this point. And what about the Tom Brady comparisons, he get any flak for that?
“No one gave me grief for that, to be honest I forgot he even said that, and at this point it’s not really a big deal,” he said.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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